Minnesota vs. Michigan State Prediction
Two Big Ten teams meet up tonight in the second round of the NCAA Tournament as No. 2 Michigan State faces No. 10 Minnesota in the East Region at 7:45PM ET.
845 Minnesota vs. 846 Michigan State
Saturday, March 23, 2019
7:45PM ET – Wells Fargo Arena
TV: CBS
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Michigan State is the clear favorite in this game, as the Spartans are getting odds of -10 points against Minnesota. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 142 points. The public betting currently has 56 percent going on Michigan State as the favorite. 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.
Gophers roll past Louisville
Minnesota is coming off an 86-76 win at Louisville on Thursday in the first round. The Gophers have now and covered the spread in five of their last seven games. Minnesota is 22-13 on the season, 6-1 on a neutral floor, 18-17 against the spread and 18-16-1 with the under.
The Gophers haven’t been outstanding on offense this year, averaging just 71.2 points per game while shooting only 32.5 percent from the arc. On Thursday, Minnesota shot quite well, going 11-of-27 from the arc. Defensively, Minnesota is giving up 69.4 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 43.4 percent against them. The five starters accounted for all 86 points on Thursday. Gabe Kalscheur led the way with 24 points, eight rebounds and five 3-pointers. Both Amir Coffey and Jordan Murphy each had 18 points and six rebounds.
MSU survives Bradley
Michigan State found itself in a battle with Bradley on Thursday, losing in the second half before pulling away in the later stages of the game for a 76-65 win that didn’t cover the 17.5-point spread. MSU has won six straight entering today while going 4-2 against the spread. Michigan State is now 29-6 on the season, 6-1 on a neutral floor, 24-11 against the spread and 19-15-1 with the under.
The Spartans are strong on both sides of the ball, allowing just 65.5 points per game while holding opponents to 37.9 percent shooting. Offensively, MSU is putting up 78.7 points per game while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from the arc. On Thursday, the Spartans didn’t shoot well. They were just 5-of-19 from the arc. Cassius Winston led the team with 26 points and four assists while Xavier Tillman had 16 points with 11 rebounds. Much was made of coach Tom Izzo having an intense argument with freshman Aaron Henry, but that may just strengthen the Spartans for this game.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Minnesota
The Golden Gophers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five neutral-site games, but just 3-8 ATS in their last 11 Saturday games.
Michigan State
The Spartans have covered the spread in four of their last five against Big Ten opponents and 20-7 ATS in their last 27 following a win.
Prediction:
These two met on Feb. 9 and Michigan State earned a 79-55 win at home. The Spartans shot over 50 percent in the victory. Minnesota is playing some really good basketball right now, but the Gopher shot incredibly well from the arc on Thursday while Michigan State shot very poorly. I don’t expect the same to happen to either team today. The Gophers aren’t going to score with the ease they did against Louisville and the Spartans can expect improved shooting today. I think the Izzo noise will actually be a rallying point for this team and make them stronger. They haven’t reached the Sweet 16 the previous two seasons and I expect them to come out emphatically today.
College Basketball Prediction: Michigan State -10