- This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Minnesota (13-14) vs Michigan (25-2)
- When: Feb 24 2026, 8:30 PM
- Where: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Where to watch: BTN
Minnesota vs (3) Michigan Preview & Prediction
Spread: Michigan -21.5
Moneyline: Michigan (-20000)
Total: 145.5
Michigan Wolverines: Angry, Focused, Still Very Good
Michigan is a 21.5-point favorite for a reason. Yes, the Wolverines just took a 68-63 loss to Duke. Yes, that stings. And yes, fans briefly panicked like someone unplugged the WiFi during March Madness. But let’s relax.
This team is 25-2 and 15-1 in the Big Ten. That is not “fraud alert.” That is “we’re still terrifying.”
Coach Dusty May treated the Duke loss like a pop quiz you fail but still get an A in the class. The Wolverines got punched, learned a few lessons, and now return to conference play where they’ve been steamrolling opponents.
Michigan’s identity hasn’t changed. Yaxel Lendeborg leads the charge with 14.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, giving them toughness and consistency. Morez Johnson Jr. adds 13.5 points and 7.3 boards, while Aday Mara chips in 11.2 points and 7.0 rebounds. That trio is basically a walking rebounding clinic.
The Wolverines defend, rebound, and score efficiently. They don’t panic. They don’t implode. And they definitely don’t enjoy being reminded they lost a game.
At home in Ann Arbor? They’ve dominated this matchup historically, holding a 57-22 home record against Minnesota. That’s not a trend — that’s a tradition.
Minnesota Golden Gophers: Playing for Respect (And Tuesday Off)
Minnesota is 13-14 overall and 6-10 in conference play. Their goal? Avoid playing on Tuesday in the Big Ten Tournament. It may not scream “national title aspirations,” but hey — progress is progress.
The Gophers are coming in with some confidence after back-to-back wins over Oregon and Rutgers. Coach Niko Medved has them buying into a culture shift. That matters. Effort won’t be the issue.
Cade Tyson is the main scoring threat at 19.5 points per game, shooting 48.9 percent overall and 40.9 percent from three. If Minnesota is going to hang around, Tyson needs to cook from deep.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson contributes 13.4 points and 6.8 rebounds, while Langston Reynolds averages 11.1 points. They’ve got pieces. But depth and physicality? That’s where the gap shows.
Also, Michigan hasn’t forgotten that Minnesota won the last meeting 84-81 in overtime back in January 2025. Revenge is absolutely on the menu.
Betting Outlook and Prediction
Michigan laying 21.5 is a big number. The total sits at 145.5, which suggests a methodical pace rather than chaos.
Minnesota will fight early. Tyson probably hits a few threes. But over 40 minutes, Michigan’s rebounding edge and interior dominance should snowball.
The Wolverines are coming off a loss, playing at home, and still chasing Big Ten supremacy. That’s not the spot to step in front of.
Michigan covers, and the total stays under as the Wolverines clamp down defensively and control tempo from start to finish.
Final Score: Michigan 82, Minnesota 58
Lean: Michigan -21.5
Total: Under 145.5
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
