Michigan vs Michigan State and Betting Preview
Sportsmemo content contributor Kyle Kargel offers his Michigan vs Michigan State betting preview in the Big 10 Conference for Tuesday, March 1. At the time of posting, the Wolverines are a 5-point home favorite against the road Spartans, with the total sitting at 142.5 points.
Check out our College Basketball Free Picks page for betting thoughts from some of the country’s top handicappers.
Tuesday, March 1 | Big 10 Conference Betting Notes |
---|---|
Point Spread: | Michigan Wolverines -5 vs Michigan State Spartans |
Total: | 142.5 Points |
Game Time: | 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT |
Arena: | Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, MI |
TV: | FS1 |
Michigan vs Michigan State Analysis
Although Michigan State would probably be in the NCAA Tournament had the season ended today a loss to Michigan would put them firmly on the bubble.
The Wolverines are on the bubble now and a loss would move them out for the time being. With that, this game is a must-win for each in addition to the heated interstate rivalry.
Both will be playing with March Madness like intensity and how fitting with it being the first day of March. Both teams are 2-3 in their last five with the Spartans picking up the win the last time these two played in East Lansing 83-67.
Something has to give tonight as these two teams meet once more this regular season, this time in Ann Arbor.
Michigan Must Find Identity
This season overall for the Wolverines has been a disappointing one. After a trip to the Elite 8 last season Michigan felt they had the caliber to make the Final Four this year at the start of the season.
They quickly realized their lack of identity welcoming in multiple transfers and top recruits onto the team this season. As a result the core remains the same in Hunter Dickinson and Eli Brooks leading the team in scoring combining for 30 points per game.
As a team the Wolverines play somewhat slow but remain offensively efficient ranking 24th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency.
In the past the Wolverines have been used to playing with experience but that’s not the case this season as they rank 294th in team experience. They don’t utilize their bench much ranking 324th in bench minutes and their defense has been unusual.
They’re in the top 90 in adjusted defensive efficiency, but rank near the bottom in other key defensive metrics. They’re 228th in two point field goal percentage allowed, 340th in generating turnovers and 340th in steal percentage.
They’re going to have to crank up the aggressiveness on defense if they want a chance to contain the Spartan playmakers.
Spartans Build Resume With Recent Win
The Spartans are coming off arguably their biggest win of the season as they upset #4 Purdue at home this past Saturday.
Junior guard Tyson Walker hit a game winning three pointer with three seconds left to propel Michigan State to 19-9 overall on the season. The Spartans have a slew of playmakers but you wouldn’t know it looking at each player’s scoring numbers.
Senior Forward Gabe Brown is the teams leading scorer at 11.4 points per game. This has been key for them as there’s been instances of them losing leads down the stretch and struggling to come back in games if need be at the end.
As a team they’re 11th nationally in three point shooting percentage, 97th in effective field goal percentage, top 10 in assist/field goal ratio and 42nd in adjusted offensive efficiency.
The Wolverines will have trouble scoring inside as the Spartans roster the 11th tallest team nationally and are 14th in block percentage on defense led by senior forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (2.3 blocks per game).
Michigan vs Michigan State Prediction
The Wolverines are five point favorites heading into this one and need a win in convincing fashion against Sparty. Michigan State has had enough time to celebrate the Purdue win and have their minds set on this rivalry game.
Michigan will still be without Juwan Howard and judging by their 11-16 record against the spread, I think Michigan wins this one but Michigan State keeps it close at the end.
Prediction: Michigan State +5
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🧠 Get a head start on the Tuesday tournament action as @MidMajorMatt previews all three conferences tipping off. Find out who you should have your eyes on in the ASUN, Horizon and Patriot League tournaments, as well as some sleeper candidates. 👇👇 https://t.co/qidatqYDAN
— Sportsmemo (@sportsmemo) March 1, 2022
Michigan vs Michigan State GoldSheet Preview
College Basketball Stat Sheet
GoldSheet prepares a daily college basketball stat sheet, which offers a head-to-head comparison for how teams are performing in a number of key areas heading into a game. Check out Tuesday’s sheet, with notes on tonight’s Michigan vs Michigan State contest.
NCAAB Odds Screen
Sportsmemo’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the college basketball point spreads, moneylines, first half lines and betting percentages for all of Tuesday’s NCAAB games, including this Michigan vs Michigan State showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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