Michigan was a March Madness betting darling in the mid-90s, before NCAA sanctions imposed penalties for a booster scandal. The Wolverines are back in the “Big Dance” for the first time since 1998, and they’ll take on No.7 Clemson on Thursday as a No.10 seed. The Tigers are the college basketball betting favorites in this contest, but those who bet sports know the importance of momentum heading into the Tournament.

Clemson vs Michigan odds – Thursday, March 19, 7:10 PM ET

The Wolverines were one of the bubble teams on Selection Sunday, but they still earned an invite despite a loss to Illinois in the Big Ten quarterfinals. If Michigan is going to make any March Madness betting noise, it’ll have to do it on defense, as they were 59^th in points allowed. The Wolverines are good with the ball, coming in 10^th in assist/turnover ratio and 11^th in turnovers, and they are 13^th in free-throw percentage, which will come in handy in late-game situations.

The Tigers lost to Georgia Tech in the first round of the ACC tournament, which wasn’t a good look when you see that the Yellow Jackets were the ACC’s worst team. Clemson is an offensively gifted squad, as senior swingman K.C. Rivers and junior forward Trevor Brooker lead an attack that was 12^th in points scored. The Tigers turn the ball over far too much, ranking 213^th in the nation in that category, and they also allow opponents to shoot almost 36 per cent from long range, which is 257^th in the country.

Clemson vs Michigan odds have the Wolverines as a 5.5-point sportsbook underdog, and Michigan has won its lone meeting with Clemson, beating the Tigers 59-56 on the road back in 1998. The Tigers have lost four of their last five, and losing to a team like Georgia Tech has to hurt their confidence. Meanwhile, the Wolverines are coming off big wins over eventual Big Ten champions Purdue as well as a road win at Minnesota that probably sealed their ticket to the Tournament. Momentum means everything at this time of year, and the Wolverines have it in spades. Bet on Michigan to go against the March Madness odds in the first round.