The Jimmy V Classic takes centerstage on Tuesday in the college basketball world, as No. 1 Tennessee takes on Miami and No. 14 Michigan duels John Calipari's Arkansas Razorbacks at Madison Square Garden in New York.
For the sake of this same-game-parlay article, I'm looking specifically at the second affair of the doubleheader.
So, without further ado, here's a college basketball same game parlay for Arkansas vs. Michigan on Tuesday, December 10.
College Basketball Same Game Parlay for Arkansas vs Michigan
- Michigan ML
- Vlad Goldin 10+ Points
- Danny Wolf 3+ Assists
- Johnell Davis 8+ Points
Parlay Odds: +500 on DraftKings
Remember to bet responsibly — this is a long shot for a reason.
In the first year of Dusty May’s tenure after he arrived from Florida Atlantic, Michigan is off to a scintillating start. The Wolverines are 8-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten, with marquee wins over Xavier, Wisconsin, Iowa and TCU.
I expect Michigan to add another premier scalp to its ledger on Tuesday night.
Entering the season, question marks surrounded the fit of playing two seven-footers together. But Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin have meshed well, largely thanks to the versatility of Wolf’s game.
The two have become a wrecking ball as a pick-and-roll combination; opposing big men do not know how to navigate that kind of action because it is so rare in college hoops.
Wolf is an incisive passer, as well, finding the Wolverines’ cadre of open shooters if foes overhelp from the wings or corners.
Arkansas has major question marks, both in terms of its level of play and its lineup. The Razorbacks have lost both neutral site games they have played thus far, falling to Baylor and Illinois.
The defense, so strong against buy game opponents, did not hold up well in either contest.
To top it off, Zvonimir Ivisic’s status is up in the air due to an ankle injury. The 7-foot-2 center missed Arkansas’ clash with UTSA on Saturday. Even if he does play, he could be limited.
Against a frontline like Michigan’s, that is a serious concern.
Goldin has been on a tear as the Michigan guards have gotten more comfortable running May’s offense. Obviously, the big Russian had a major head start in the system after playing for May at FAU, and his familiarity with it shows in his timing as a roll man down the lane.
Over his last three games – all against power conference competition – Goldin is averaging 20.7 points per game on 67% shooting from the field. He is a punishing finisher at the rim, and he constantly gets to the free throw line.
Wolf has shown great chemistry with Goldin, and Michigan’s guards have started to find him more, as well.
Goldin may also benefit from Ivisic’s absence. The towering Croatian ranks seventh nationally in block rate, per KenPom, so removing him from the lineup would make Goldin’s life much easier inside, despite the Razorbacks’ frontcourt depth.
I am confident Goldin will be a prominent part of the Wolverines’ offense. I am avoiding a higher number in the parlay, though, because Arkansas is a strong defensive rebounding team. Goldin may not get an extra chippy or two via put backs as a result.
In the only non-ex-FAU-related leg of this parlay, we’re banking on Wolf’s tremendous passing to show up on the big stage.
As mentioned, putting the ball in Wolf’s hands has been a key component of the blossoming Michigan offense. The crafty big man has some turnover issues, but that does not matter here – we just need him taking the risks.
The Wolverines have been especially reliant on Wolf’s playmaking in their biggest action. In six games against power conference competition, the Israeli big man is averaging 3.5 assists per game. He has at least three in five of the six games.
The only game he did not was against Iowa on Saturday. Expect May to go back to his big man as a show of faith.
Digging into motivation angles can be highly beneficial when handicapping player props. For Johnell Davis, an extra incentive is obvious: he is playing against his former coach at FAU, Dusty May.
It’s not quite the same as a player with a revenge mindset against his old school, as Davis and May still get along quite well by all accounts. But I am happy to bet on a talented scorer having full focus knowing May is on the other bench.
Davis has not been himself so far this season due to a wrist injury in the preseason. As a result, his production has been down, and the slow start is helping suppress his line here.
He has scored 12+ points in three of Arkansas’ last four games and looks to be rounding into the form expected of one of the nation’s most prized transfers.
As a bonus, Davis should be plenty comfortable in Madison Square Garden. With FAU last year, he racked up 19 points against Illinois in this very venue.
Combined with the added motivation of squaring off with his former coach, Davis should be locked in for a big performance.
