Northwestern Wildcats vs. Michigan State Spartans, 1/2/19 Predictions

Northwestern vs. Michigan State Pick

Can No. 8 Michigan State pick up another lopsided win at home when it hosts Northwestern tonight at 8:30PM ET?

Game Snapshot & Odds

813 Northwestern vs. 814 Michigan State

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

8:30PM ET – Breslin Center

TV: Big Ten Network

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Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Michigan State is the clear favorite at home, as the Spartans are getting odds of -12.5 points against Northwestern. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 138.5 points. The public betting currently has 63 percent going on the Spartans at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.

Northwestern seeking first Big Ten win

Northwestern is looking to win its first Big Ten game after losses to Indiana and Michigan previously. The Wildcats covered the spread in both losses. Northwestern is 9-4 on the season, 0-1 on the road, 8-4-1 against the spread and 7-6 with the under.

The Wildcats have a solid defense, but struggle offensively, They score 73.5 points per game this year while shooting 44.1 percent from the field. Defensively, the Wildcats are giving up only 61.6 points per game while holding opponents to 28.3 percent from the arc. Vic Law is leading the team with 18.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while Derek Pardon is adding 13.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.

Spartans on a hot streak

Michigan State has won six straight games since a loss to Louisville in late November. The Spartans earned an 88-60 win over Northern Illinois this past weekend. MSU has covered the spread in five of the six wins. MSU is 11-2 overall, 7-0 at home, 9-4 against the spread and 7-6 with the over.

The Spartans are one of the top offensive teams in basketball. MSU averages 87.6 points per game while shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from the 3-point line. Defensively, MSU is giving up 68.4 points per game while holding opponents to 37.1 percent shooting. Michigan State guard Joshua Langford is questionable to play tonight with an ankle injury. Langford averages 15 points per game this year. Cassius Winston is leading the team with 17.5 points and 7.5 assists per game while Nick Ward adds 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

College Basketball Betting Trends

Northwestern

Northwestern is 2-6 against the spread in its last 8 Wednesday games and 4-10 against the spread in its last 14 road games.

Michigan State

Michigan State is 5-1 against the spread in its last six home games and 4-1 ATS in its last five after a win.

Prediction:

Michigan State looks pretty good this year. The Spartans are playing at a very fast tempo on offense, which is leading to a lot of transition offense and a lot of points. Northwestern isn’t a team that can match that tempo and I don’t think they will be able to prevent the Spartans from playing that fast. Michigan State should be able to cover this big spread. They have won all of their home games this year by at least 21 points

College Basketball Prediction: Michigan State -12.5