Oakland vs. Michigan Prediction, Men's College Basketball Odds & Best Bets (11/2)

Fact checked at 8:48 AM ET, Nov 2, 2026

Odds as of 8:46 AM ET, Nov 2, 2026

Michigan opens its national title defense against Oakland at 6:00 PM ET at Crisler Center, on Big Ten Network. The Wolverines should win easily. We just doubt that a rebuilt team seeing a zone for the first time scores enough to win by 28 or push the total past 157.5. An 84-62 Michigan win is the kind of game we expect, which puts us on Oakland with the points and on the Under.

It's opening night for both teams. Michigan went 37-3 and won the title last season, then lost three lottery picks and head coach Dusty May, who left for the Dallas Mavericks. Mike Boynton Jr., an assistant on that staff, coaches his first game. Oakland returns two players who saw action last season. Michigan's starting five of Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney, Roddy Gayle Jr., J.P. Estrella and Moustapha Thiam is the one Boynton projected, not a posted lineup.

Oakland vs. Michigan Predictions

• Pick #1: Oakland +27.5 (-115)
• Pick #2: Under 157.5 (-115)

PICK #1: Oakland +27.5 (-115)

Greg Kampe's zone is why we're taking the points. Boynton said Michigan hadn't played "a possession" of zone in its six games together, and he called Oakland's version "a hard zone to describe because it looks different almost every possession." He has coached against Kampe three times before. McKenney called it "a weird type of zone" that will "force us to be smart and think a little bit." Kampe, in his 43rd season, said his team spent "most of our time defensively, trying to learn the zone."

Michigan isn't deep yet, either. Freshman Joseph Hartman is expected to miss another couple of weeks with a shoulder injury, Jalen Reed has been on restrictions, and freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. is out for the season. Boynton admitted the team is "probably not as deep at this point" as last season's. With UConn four days later, we think a big lead goes to the bench rather than getting bigger.

The break-even at -115 is 53.5%, and we don't see a big edge over that. Last season Michigan beat Oakland 121-78 in the same opener, though both rosters have turned over since. The spread has also grown from 25 last week. Oakland is badly undersized: William Kassi (6-foot-10) and Josh Hill (6-foot-11) both weigh about 200 pounds, and they're up against Thiam and Estrella. Oakland also lost an exhibition 97-58 at Cincinnati. If Michigan owns the glass the way it should, this pick loses.

PICK #2: Under 157.5 (-115)

We expect the zone to keep the score down too. Boynton said it "forces you to have to work together to find good shots," and that usually means longer possessions. Michigan made 25% and 27% of its threes in its last two exhibitions, and it lost the second of those 83-66 to Houston. Boynton plans to shoot more threes this season, so cold shooting matters here.

Oakland's offense hasn't shown much against size. It scored 75 against Tennessee State and 58 at Cincinnati in its last two exhibitions, and Kampe said, "We've not put the amount of time and effort into the offense. I'm fine with that." Those were exhibitions, but they're all this group has played.

At -115 you need 53.5%. Pace is what beats this. McKenney wants to "get in transition more" against the zone, Oakland made 20 threes in its exhibition win over Grand Valley State, and last season's meeting produced 199 points. Michigan has also scored at least 99 in each of its last three openers, so if the threes fall early, this goes over fast.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.