UNC Asheville vs Michigan Odds, Pick
| UNC Asheville Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | +450 |
| Michigan Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | -650 |
The pressure is heating up on Michigan head coach Juwan Howard after missing the NCAA tournament last season. Getting off on the right foot would be monumental for this Wolverines program, but it faces a worthy mid-major foe in UNC Asheville, which made the Big Dance last season as the Big South's representative.
So, dive in below for UNC Asheville vs Michigan odds and a pick, including a college basketball betting guide for Tuesday, Nov. 7.
UNC Asheville Bulldogs
Mike Morrell totally flipped UNC Asheville in a short time. In Morrell's first season at UNC Asheville, it won just four games. Four years later, it made the NCAA tournament.
Can Morrell keep the success going after the program's first NCAA tournament bid since 2016?
Drew Pember, an All-American candidate, is a big reason why it's possible. The versatile forward averaged over 20 points, nine rebounds and swatted away two shots per game. He'll have his hands full in this one, but he's the best low-major player in the game. He can shoot it, handle the ball and block shots. What's not to love?
Coach Morrell needs a huge performance from his star to battle in Ann Arbor.
The Bulldogs' biggest concern is replacing Tajion Jones, the team's second-leading scorer and leader. Jones was known for his elite shooting over the years.
Names like Fletcher Abee and Josh Banks will help as options for Pember to dump the ball to out of double teams. Abee drilled over 40% of his perimeter shots in 2022-23 and figures to play a massive role — perhaps as the Bulldogs' second-leading scorer.
I'll dive deeper into how Michigan could turn into a stingy defensive unit below, but it's something UNC Asheville can mitigate by limiting the amount of turnovers from its point guards, Caleb Burgess and Davion Cunningham.
Legal online sports betting is coming to North Carolina! North Carolina sports betting will be launching in January 2024, so get ready with help from Action Network. Check out all of our detailed sportsbook reviews to decide which books you'll want to sign up with come launch day, so you'll be ready to bet all UNC Asheville games for the season.
Michigan Wolverines
Howard underwent heart surgery a few months back, which will sideline him to begin the season. The positive for Michigan, though? Phil Martelli, the legendary St Joe's head coach, will replace Howard on the sidelines. From a pure X's and O's standpoint, there's virtually zero drop-off.
Where Michigan can fluster teams is with its size and athleticism, especially Tray Jackson, Olivier Nkamhoua and Tarris Reed Jr. Nkamhoua rattled in 27 points in the 2023 NCAA tournament against Duke, and he'll have every chance to lead the Wolverines in scoring.
In UNC Asheville's brief tournament appearance last season, UCLA's size and athleticism in the frontcourt limited Pember to a season-low of nine points. Michigan can throw plenty of size at the reigning Big South Player of the Year.
Michigan has to find its identity. The Wolverines want to beat teams using defense, which isn't how they won games the past few years. If their length can affect shots and if they can get into passing lanes, that will lead to easy offense.
That's an even bigger recipe for the season opener, as UNC Asheville turned the ball over on 20% of its possessions in 2022-23.
The biggest question for Michigan? Guard play. Sophomore Dug McDaniel started 26 games as a freshman, averaging 8.6 points and 3.4 assists per night. The former top-100 recruit didn't just get a taste of Big Ten action — he got a whole meal.
They always say, the best thing about freshman is that they become a sophomore. It's McDaniel's chance to prove he's the point guard of the future in Ann Arbor and to improve his overall efficiency in the process.
McDaniel will dictate how successful Michigan is this season.
UNC Asheville vs. Michigan
Betting Pick & Prediction
The market is undervaluing Michigan now. I know the talent isn't what it was last season, but the team could win more games.
Look, I don't put much stock into "secret scrimmages," but Michigan beat Marquette, a top-10 nationally-ranked team, in a scrimmage. That's not for nothing.
I expect Michigan to come out motivated and ready to pull out a convincing win over a really good UNC Asheville squad.
Pick: Michigan -12.5
Bet UNC Asheville vs. Michigan at bet365 with our bet365 bonus code.
