The No. 2 Michigan State Spartans are still in the thick of the race to the top of the Big Ten regular season standings, so the Spartans are going to be locked in for their match against the Northwestern Wildcats. Will Tom Izzo’s team steamroll their way past the Wildcats? Or will Northwestern serve its visitors with a big humble pie? Register to bet and wager with your pick.
Betting Preview for the Michigan State Spartans vs North Western Wildcats College Basketball Game on February 17, 2018
Where: Allstate Arena
When: Saturday, February 17, 2:00PM EST
Line: Michigan State Spartans (n/a) vs North Western Wildcats (n/a)–view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: Fox
Betting on the Michigan State Spartans (24-3)
It seems so cliche to say that a team like the Spartans are expected to take the Northwestern game seriously, but that’s also a fair warning to them because overconfidence can sometimes wreck a favorite. The Spartans are 8-0 SU in their last eight meetings with Northwestern, going 6-2 ATS in those games. Miles Bridges will look to flash his form in this game. The sophomore is wreaking havoc in the conference, as he is averaging 17.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Apart from having talented players, Michigan State is a well-coached team with Tom Izzo steering the program from the sidelines. The Spartans are 20th nationally in points with 83.1 points per game and 21st with only 65.3 points allowed per game. Terrific ball movement and elite rebounding help the team on both ends of the floor. The Spartans are No. 1 overall in assists (20.1) and fifth in rebounding (41.1).
Betting on the North Western Wildcats (15-11)
All the Wildcats need is for Michigan State to take its foot off the pedal. Although Northwestern is a middling Big Ten team, it has shown it can hang with some elite teams the Wildcats have faced before. They lost by only four points to Creighton; lost by five points to Purdue; and lost by six points to Ohio State. Apart from those, the Wildcats also defeated Michigan at home on Feb. 6, 61-52. Northwestern’s success this Saturday largely depends on how well it could contain Michigan State’s defense. The Wildcats are averaging only 69.8 points per game, but own a plus-3.2 average scoring margin because they are only allowing 66.6 points per contest. Northwestern can be pretty tough to crack at home, too. Save for their 85-49 loss to Texas Tech back in November, the Wildcats have not lost by more than six points in their other two home games against top 50 RPI teams. They are 2-0 SU and ATS in their last two home games.
Writer’s Prediction:
Michigan State deals the Wildcats a 76-64 loss.
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