Michigan @ Iowa State preview

Michigan at Iowa State

Last Meeting ( Nov 17, 2013 ) Michigan 70, Iowa State 77

Michigan looks to keep its perfect record intact when it meets Iowa State in the quarterfinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday in the Bahamas. The Wolverines have won four straight games under first-year coach Juwan Howard, including a 111-68 victory over Houston Baptist on Friday to extend their non-conference home winning streak to 24, and hope to continue their positive start by knocking off the Cyclones for the first time since 2011.

Michigan finished fifth in the 2015 edition of the annual showcase played in Paradise Island, and hopes to capture an in-season tournament for the second time in as many seasons after winning the Hall of Fame Tipoff in 2018. Iowa State bounced back from its first loss of the season to Oregon State with two consecutive wins, including a 73-45 rout of Southern Miss on Nov. 19. The Cyclones have fared well in November tournaments in recent years, going 9-3 in the last four seasons, with title wins in the Puerto Rico Tipoff (2017) and the Emerald Coast Classic (2015) during that span, and hope for another good showing by taking down a Big Ten opponent for the third straight season. "If you look at our neutral site record it is really good," Iowa State coach Steve Prohm told reporters. "That has a lot to do with personnel, but it also has a lot to do with our fanbase and how well they travel."

TV: Noon ET, ESPN

ABOUT IOWA STATE (3-1): Solomon Young led a balanced attack with 14 points and six rebounds, as the Cyclones held Southern Miss without a 3-point field goal en route to matching the lowest point total allowed under Prohm. Prentiss Nixon added nine of his 13 points in the first half while Tyrese Haliburton finished with 12 points and a game-high nine assists against the Golden Eagles. George Conditt produced nine points, six rebounds and four blocked shots while Rasir Bolton, who is familiar with Michigan after transferring from Penn State, scored eight points.

ABOUT MICHIGAN (4-0): Isaiah Livers was 9-of-10 from the floor en route to a career-high 24 points in the win over Houston Baptist to help the Wolverines finish with their most points since scoring 112 against Indiana in 1998. Zavier Simpson also had a career night as he added 22 points and 14 assists to register his fifth double-double while Colin Castleton scored 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting against the Huskies in their last primer before heading out to the Bahamas. "It's beautiful when you go out on the road as it really helps your team form that mental toughness and togetherness," Howard told reporters. "It's a perfect opportunity for us at a perfect time where we can bond and get to know one another."

TIP-INS

1. Iowa State is 13-3 in regular season tournaments since the start of 2013-14.

2. Simpson leads all Big Ten players with nine assists per game.

3. The winner will face either Alabama or No. 4 North Carolina.

PREDICTION: Michigan 78, Iowa State 74