The Michigan hosts Iowa in Big 10 Conference play. The matchup will be televised on ESPN. Thursday's game against Iowa will be the 151st all-time meeting between Michigan and Iowa. U-M leads 91-59 overall and holds a 51-22 record in Ann Arbor. Look for the home team Wolverines to continue dominance on this court.

Here are my keys to the game:

Wolverine's players stepping up- Michigan has had to deal with injuries to multiple players but have dealt with well enough other players stepping up. Since earning more court time six games ago, Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman has continued to make strong contributions for U-M. He has started three games and averaged 9.8 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 56.8 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from long range. He had a career-best 18 points at Michigan State in 8-for-14 shooting.

Iowa struggles in Conference play- The Hawkeyes are 4-4 in conference play while Wolverines boast a 6-5 mark in comparison. In Big Ten play, Iowa's scoring and rebounding has dipped to 66.4 and 32.6 per game, respectively, and the Hawkeyes are shooting 44.0 percent from the field, 33.9 percent on three-pointers. The Hawkeyes have lost three in a row coming in.

X-Factor- Home court advantage has been key for the Wolverines in conference play with the only loss at home to top ranked Wisconsin in overtime.

Selection: This is a play on Michigan. (10*)