Michigan State Trending Up while Michigan Struggles
This matchup between instate rivals will be a complicated option to include in NCAAB expert picks given all the possibilities. After what has been a tough season for Michigan State (16-9, 8-6), it is finally officially turning it around. On the other hand, Michigan (8-17, 3-11) has struggled the whole season, especially in Big Ten play.
In the Spartans’ last game, they continued their attempt to climb in the Big Ten standings, beating Penn State 80-72. The Wolverines continued to struggle, losing to Illinois 97-68 on the road, with the game pretty much over by halftime.
Michigan State vs Michigan Game Information
- Game: Michigan State (16-9) vs Michigan (8-17)
- Location: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI
- Day/Time: Saturday, Feb. 17, 8 p.m. ET
- Michigan State vs Michigan Live Stream: TBS.com
These teams matched up on Jan. 30, with Michigan State winning 81-62, covering an 11½ point spread. That win should affect NCAAB predictions despite Michigan being the home team in this game.
Michigan State vs Michigan Odds and Spreads
Michigan State vs Michigan Betting Trends
- Spartans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Saturday games.
- Spartans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
- Spartans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Wolverines are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games.
- Wolverines are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Wolverines are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games following a ATS loss.
- Over is 6-1 in Spartans last 7 Saturday games.
- Over is 5-1 in Wolverines last 6 games after allowing more than 90 points in their previous game.
Michigan State vs Michigan Pick ATS: Michigan State -6 (-110)
This seems to be between teams playing for different things regarding Big Ten standings. Michigan State has had a rough season, falling short of college basketball predictions, with preseason rankings having the Spartans fourth, but they have started to turn things around in Big Ten play.
Against conference opponents, the Spartans have a record of 8-6, which has them in the top half of the Big Ten. That has been, in large part, to the defense stepping up, allowing the second-fewest points per game (68.2) of teams when playing within the conference.
On the other hand, Michigan has struggled in Big Ten play. The Wolverines find themselves at the bottom of the conference, with a 3-11 record and 2 wins over the last 10 games. That has affected how college basketball lines view the team, only covering a spread twice over the previous 10 games.
This matchup could be a little more challenging to predict because of the nature of this rivalry, but Michigan State is looking to save its season while playing well at the moment. On the other hand, Michigan is trying to stay relevant.
Michigan State vs Michigan Over/Under Pick: Over 143 (-110)
In the first meeting between these teams, it is important to note that Michigan State was the home team. That game hit the under, but it could be a different story this time around for college basketball picks.
One reason is that Spartan’s leading scorer, Tyson Walker, who averages 18.4 points per game, only had six points in the win over Penn State. The rest of the roster stepped up, with Malik Hall having a career night with 29 points and Jaden Akins adding 20 more. The whole Spartan offense is coming into this matchup hot.
On top of that, Michigan will be home. That means the Wolverine’s leading scorer, Dug McDaniel, averaging 16.8 points and 4.7 assists per game, will play. He has been suspended from road games, missing the last matchup with Michigan State.
Michigan State vs Michigan Player Prop Pick: Tyson Walker Over 15 points (-189)
The last game for Walker was a surprise. He is averaging 15.2 shots per game, but in the win over Penn State, he only took eight, going 3-8 from the field. Part of that was that the rest of Michigan State’s players got hot and started taking away Walker’s usual scoring opportunities. That could happen again facing Michigan, but the more likely outcome is that Walker has a big game.
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Michigan State vs Michigan Score Prediction
Michigan State 76, Michigan 69
Questions of the Day
Will Michigan get any home-court advantage?
With this rivalry game, one would hope the Michigan fans are excited, but the team is also 5-7 in Ann Arbor.
Has Michigan State revived its season?
After a 4-5 start, Michigan State has lost four games since then, picking up 12 wins and starting to live up to preseason expectations.
