Arizona Wildcats vs. Michigan State Spartans Preview
Where: Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu
When: Thursday, November 11, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Arizona Wildcats (TBA) vs. Michigan State Spartans (TBA) – view all NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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Betting on the Arizona Wildcats
Sean Miller’s coaching chops will be tested heavily this season with Arizona losing a load of talent. More than 60 percent of Arizona’s scoring source from last year is gone and with Allonzo Trier’s eligibility status still unclear, freshman Lauri Markkanen and Kadeem Allen will carry most of the load for Arizona against Michigan State.
Markkanen is a knockdown three-point specialist and he showcased his excellent outside sniping when he scored 21 points in an exhibition matchup against Chico State last Sunday. Of course, Chico State can’t be mistaken for Michigan State but Markkanen will have to be ready reprising that role later tonight. While the Wildcats lost forward Ray Smith to an ACL injury in an exhibition game, there’s a bit of good news for the team just in time for the season opener, as sophomore Chance Comanche appears to be ready to play after being suspended for academic reasons.
Comanche gives the Wildcats a solid presence inside, one who will clean the board and protect the rim.
Allen, meanwhile, is going to play more off the ball as a shooting guard. His 2015 averages of 24.9 MPG and 8.4 PPG are expected to rise this campaign.
The over is 3-1 in Arizona’s last four games overall.
Betting on the Michigan State Spartans
There’ll be some love lost in Michigan State with Denzel Valentine having exited East Lansing but Tom Izzo remains positive about the chances of his team making noise in the Big Ten.
The Spartans had a decent haul of recruits over the summer, led by Miles Bridges. To demonstrate how ready Bridges for the college wars, he poured in 53 points and 15 rebounds over two exhibition games.
The frontcourt is slimmer than last season for Michigan State, as they also lost Ben Carter and Gavin Schilling to knee injuries but Izzo is hoping freshman Nick Ward can soften the blow of their absences in the paint. Ward, however, is just 6-8 and is already the tallest player on the team so the Spartans will have to work double time in keeping Arizona big men from getting the ball inside to take some load off Ward.
Michigan State had one of the stingiest defenses in the national last season, allowing just 64.1 points per game and ranking 35th in defensive efficiency per KenPom.com.
The Spartans are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Arizona wins, 68-65.
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