Michigan 2022 NCAA Tournament odds, bracketology: Bubble Wolverines face huge game vs. Iowa Thursday

Now that the NFL season is over, expect to hear a lot of the word "bracketology" over the next few weeks as we prepare for the 2022 NCAA Tournament. One of the most prominent Big Dance bubble teams is Michigan, and Juwan Howard and disappointing Wolverines could really use an upset victory as 6-point underdogs Thursday night at Iowa.

Off last year's trip to the Elite Eight and with star big man Hunter Dickinson opting to return to Ann Arbor instead of entering the NBA Draft, the Wolverines were ranked No. 6 in the preseason AP Top 25 and one of the national championship favorites at Caesars Sportsbook. However, they are 13-10 following a home loss to Ohio State on Saturday and 7-6 in the Big Ten. Michigan is now +10000 to win the national title at Caesars Sportsbook.

Michigan has a NET ranking of 36 but is only 2-6 against Quad 1 teams compared to 8-1 against Quad 3 & 4 opponents. Both CBS Sports' Jerry Palm and ESPN's Joe Lunardi have the Wolverines currently among the "First Four Out" of the NCAA Tournament, but SportsLine oddsmakers still favor UM to make the Dance.

It finishes the regular season at No. 15 Wisconsin, vs. Rutgers, vs. No. 12 Illinois, vs. No. 19 Michigan State, vs. Iowa and at No. 18 Ohio State. Win all the home games at a minimum and at least one in the Big Ten Tournament, and it's hard to see Howard's team left out. Obviously, a win tonight – Michigan is 3-6 on the road – would hugely help. Dickinson leads lead U-M in scoring (18.1) and rebounding (8.2).

Iowa (17-7, 7-6) is ranked No. 19 in the NET rankings but is 0-5 vs. Quad 1 teams. Palm currently gives the Hawkeyes a No. 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament and Lunardi a No. 7. They are 13-2 at home with their only losses to Big Ten contenders Illinois and Purdue.

Led by Keegan Murray, who is +1200 to win the John R. Wooden Award and leads the Big Ten in scoring at 23.3 points per game, Iowa is the No. 2 scoring offense in the Big Ten at 84.0 ppg. The Hawkeyes have scored at least 90 points eight times and at least 100 thrice – Iowa has ranked first in the Big Ten in scoring offense the last three seasons. Murray is the only player nationally to average at least 23 points, eight rebounds (8.4) and two blocks (2.1) this season.

Michigan hasn't visited Iowa City since Jan. 17, 2020, when Iowa won 90-83. Four of the last in the series played in Iowa City have gone to overtime.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Will Michigan be in the 2022 NCAA Tournament field?

• Yes -170
• No +140

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