The Indiana Hoosiers meet the Michigan State Spartans for the second time this season, so here’s the best betting pick for their Big Ten Conference showdown at Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan, on Tuesday, March 2.
We’re nearing the end of the college basketball regular season, and the clash between the Hoosiers and Spartans will have so much on the table for both schools. They have to impress in the final week to keep their March Madness hopes alive, and a loss here would probably mean the end of those hopes for both of these two foes.
The Hoosiers seek revenge to halt a three-game losing streak
The Indiana Hoosiers (12-12; 7-10 Conf.) lost to Michigan State 78-71 as 7-point home favorites on February 20 to launch a three-game losing streak. Since then, the Hoosiers have suffered defeats at Rutgers 74-63 as 3.5-point road dogs and to Michigan 73-57 as 7.5-point home dogs.
IU didn’t stand a chance against the mighty Wolverines, trailing by double-digits for most of the game. The Hoosiers shot only 38.5% from the field and 26.7% from beyond the arc while posting ten rebounds fewer than their opponents.
Sophomore forward Trayce Jackson-Davis leads the way for Indiana, posting 19.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, while senior guard Aljami Durham and sophomore guard Armaan Franklin add 11.6 points a night each.
The Hoosiers are No. 57 in the NCAA Rankings. They score 111.4 points per 100 possessions (46th in the nation) on 44.2% shooting from the field (178th) and surrender 93.9 points in a return (42nd) on 42.7% shooting from the field (152nd).
The Spartans snapped a three-game winning streak with a heavy loss at Maryland
The Michigan State Spartans (13-10; 7-10 Conf.) are coming off a 73-55 loss at the Maryland Terrapins this past Sunday. They were listed as slight 2.5-point road underdogs, but the Spartans played poorly on both sides of the ball for all 40 minutes and failed to extend their three-game winning streak.
Michigan State made just 33.3% of its field goals and 28.6% of its 3-pointers. During their win streak, the Spartans have been way more prolific, dropping 81 points on the No. 5 Illinois and 71 points on the No. 4 Ohio State alongside that 78-71 victory at Indiana.
Junior wing Aaron Henry leads the way for Michigan State, tallying 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per contest. Sophomore forward Joey Hauser racks up 10.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, while senior guard Joshua Langford adds 10.0 points and 2.0 dimes a night.
The Spartans are No. 77 in the NCAA NET Rankings. They score 108.3 points per 100 possessions (82nd in the nation) on 42.8% shooting from the field (238th) and allow 94.5 points in a return (50th) on 42.8% shooting from the field (158th).
Indiana:
- 1-4 ATS in the last five games overall
Michigan State:
- 5-0 ATS in the last five games played in March
- 4-1-1 ATS in the last six home games as favorites of 3 or fewer points
This is a typical bubble-team matchup that can easily go either way. A few little details will decide the winner, and I’m expecting a hard-fought battle for all 40 minutes. The Spartans are playing in a better form than the Hoosiers, though both teams lost last time out, so I’m backing the hosts to escape with a win and hopefully cover a 2.5-point spread.
Michigan State beat IU in their first meeting of the season thanks to some excellent offensive execution. The Spartans are playing at home here, so they might enjoy another good shooting night.
Pick: Take Michigan State -2.5 at -110
The Total:
The under is 9-4 in the Spartans’ previous 13 games overall, while the over has hit in four of the Hoosiers’ last five games overall. Four of the last six encounters between these two teams went in the under, but the previous one produced 149 points in total with the line at just 134.5 points.
I’m backing the under, expecting both teams to work hard on the defensive end. Also, there will be a lot of tension due to the importance of this clash, so we might see plenty of turnovers as well.
Pick: Go under 137.0 points at -110