NCAAB Predictions: Michigan State to Oust Mississippi State

Michigan State vs Mississippi State Game Information

• Game: Michigan State (19-14) vs Mississippi State (21-13)
• Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
• Day/Time: Thursday, March 21, 12:15 p.m. ET
• Michigan State vs Mississippi State Live Stream: TBS.com

The ninth-seeded Michigan State Spartans will hope to start their tournament run off strong with an upset of the eight-seed Mississippi State Bulldogs on Thursday at the Spectrum Center. College basketball odds favor the Spartans by one, with the sportsbook setting the total at 130½ points.

Michigan State vs Mississippi State Odds and Spreads

Michigan State vs Mississippi State Prediction

Michigan State 74, Mississippi State 71

Michigan State vs Mississippi State Betting Trends

• Spartans are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 13.0 or greater.
• Bulldogs are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 13.0 or greater.
• Bulldogs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 0.5-6.5.
• Michigan State has a 6-4 record against the spread while finishing 5-5 overall in its last 10 games.
• The Spartans have an 18-13-0 record against the spread this season.
• This season, Michigan State has won 13 of its 21 games, or 61.9%, when favored by at least -120 on the moneyline.
• Mississippi State has a 15-17-0 record against the spread this year.
• Mississippi State has a 5-5 record against the spread while going 5-5 overall in its last 10 games.

Michigan State vs Mississippi State Moneyline Pick: Michigan State (-120)

Michigan State may not have quite lived up to its expectations this season, but it can still go on a run in the tournament, starting with a win in the opening round.

Though the game is essentially a toss-up between the eight and nine seed with the March Madness odds favoring the Spartans by one, Tom Izzo typically knows how to get his team to perform in March. Both teams are more defensive-minded, with the Spartans ranking eighth in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency and the Bulldogs 20th, however, Michigan State is also led by an experienced guard in Tyson Walker.

Walker leads the team with 18.2 points a game and already has two years of tournament experience under his belt. Josh Hubbard, meanwhile, is in his first year starting for Mississippi State, averaging 17.1 points to lead the Bulldogs. With defense leading the way for both these teams, that experience could be the difference when it comes down to the final few minutes, and Michigan State’s top defense and group of seniors should be able to get it done.

Michigan State vs Mississippi State Player Prop: AJ Hoggard Over 5.5 Assists (+100)

Michigan State is one of the better teams at moving the ball, ranking fourth in the Big Ten with 16.3 assists per game, led by Hoggard at 5.2 a game. Hoggard picked that up even more at the end of the season, getting at least six assists in his final three games, including 10 in the Big Ten quarterfinal loss to Purdue.

Against a strong defense in Mississippi State, the Spartans will have to continue moving the ball once again, so Hoggard should be able to rack up a few more assists and help out on the scoring. Expect him to be involved yet again and help Michigan State to a win.

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Questions Of The Day

The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.