The Michigan Wolverines and the Western Michigan Broncos face off on Tuesday in Ann Arbor in college basketball action.

The Michigan Wolverines have played one of the toughest schedules in the nation thus far and John Beilein’s team has passed every test thrown at them. Michigan has already faced the likes of Pitt, Kansas State, and NC State and they should be well prepared for the tough schedule that is ahead of them. As a team Michigan is averaging 79.9 points, 14.7 assists, and they are shooting 52.4 percent while defensively they are allowing 60 points, 11.9 assists and their opponents are shooting 41.4 percent. Tim Hardaway Jr. is averaging 16.6 points and 5.6 rebounds, Trey Burke is averaging 16.6 points and 7.1 assists, Nik Stauskas is averaging 14.3 points, and Glenn Robinson III is averaging 12.3 points and 7.0 rebounds. Michigan’s schedule looks like it will only get tougher as the season moves on.

The Western Michigan Broncos lost their season opener but since then Steve Hawkins’ team has reeled off six consecutive wins. WMU hasn’t played a difficult schedule and they will learn a lot about where they stand in this game. As a team Western Michigan is averaging 68.1 points, 12.3 assists, and they are shooting 43.9 percent while defensively they are allowing 57.6 points, 12.4 assists, and their opponents are shooting 37.8 percent. Nate Hutcheson is averaging 13.7 points, Darius Paul is averaging 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds, Brandon Pokley is averaging 11.4 points, and Shayne Whittington is averaging 9.9 points and 8.6 rebounds. Western Michigan’s schedule ranks 283^rd in the nation thus far with their biggest win coming over South Florida.

Michigan is 4-0 against the spread in their last four home games, 10-3 against the spread in their last 13 games following a game which they didn’t cover, and 35-15-1 against the spread in their last 51 games overall. Western Michigan is 6-0 against the spread following a win, 4-0 against the spread in their last four non-conference games, and 0-4 against the spread against the Big Ten.

Michigan is solid but laying 23 points isn’t what I am all about and while I am unlikely to touch this one it’s a lean to WMU with the points.