The Michigan State Spartans dropped to No. 4 in the AP Poll after taking a punch to the gut in the form of a loss to the unranked Ohio State Buckeyes last Sunday. Will they be able to avoid another loss to a team outside of the Top 25? Or will the Michigan Wolverines scratch Michigan State with another defeat? Register to bet and wager with your pick.
Betting Preview for the Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans College Basketball Game on January 13, 2018
Where: Jack Breslin Student Events Center
When: Saturday, January 13, 2018 12:00 PM EST
Line: Michigan Wolverines vs Michigan State Spartans –view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: Fox
Betting on the Michigan Wolverines (14-4)
The last time Michigan met the Spartans, it gave Michigan State an unforgettable 86-57 loss in Ann Arbor on Feb. 7. The Wolverines look to hand their Big Ten rivals another beating on Saturday, this time in enemy territory. They have been fairly competitive away from home thus far this season, though, as they are 3-2 SU and ATS in five games as the road team.
That said, it would take more than road luck for the Wolverines to take down Michigan State. For one, Michigan has to play its best defense against the Spartans, who have one of the nation’s best offense. The Wolverines seem up to the task, as they are eighth in Division I ball in points against with only 61.4 surrendered per game.
While, Michigan State is averaging 86.5 points per game 52.5 field goal percentage, its loss to Ohio State also showed the Spartans can have off-nights, too. Against the Buckeyes, Michigan State shot just 39.0 percent from the field.
Moritz Wagner and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, who scored 35 points together in last year’s win over Michigan State, are still with Michigan, so the Wolverines don’t have a lack of firepower to match up against the Spartans.
Betting on the Michigan State Spartans (15-2)
Michigan State saw its lengthy win streak end at 14 games last Sunday, when the Spartans fell at the hands of the Buckeyes, 80-64. It was an embarrassing loss for Tom Izzo and his boys, who entered that contest as No. 1 in the nation and ended it knowing they would lose their grip of the top spot in the AP Poll to somebody else. Defense has been one of Michigan State’ strengths this season but the Spartans clearly was not able to stop the Buckeyes, whom they allowed to shoot 52.5 percent from the field. Still, the Spartans are 13th in the nation with just 62.5 points allowed per game.
Michigan is not as powerful on offense as Ohio State, so the Spartans should do a better job defensively this Saturday. Spartans forward Nick Ward had a bad outing against Buckeyes, submitting just three points, but he also should be able to bounce back, as he is second on the team in scoring with 14.7 points a game.
Michigan State has won four of its last five games against the Wolverines when its pegged as the home team. The Spartans are 3-2 ATS in those games.
Writer’s Prediction:
Michigan wins, 76-68.
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