The Michigan State Spartans struggled through a rough non-conference slate as they lost several times against a tough schedule. The Big Ten season has started much better and they will look to remain undefeated in the conference in a road game against the Penn State Nittany Lions.
The Spartans haven’t started well but are one of the most consistently strong programs in the country and have the ability to turn it on down the stretch. Penn State is not as successful of a team and will be the underdog despite playing this game at home.
This war on the floor will go down Friday, January 7, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at the Palestra in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Friday schedule.
Odds at BookMaker.eu
Michigan State is 10-5 straight up and 7-7 against the spread. The Spartans have played two true road games and have done a nice job, covering in both attempts. Michigan State has been favored in nine of its games and has covered in four of them.
Penn State is 9-6 straight up and 7-5 against the spread. They have played six home games and have covered in half of them. The Nittany Lions will likely be the underdogs for the eighth time this season. They have covered four of those attempts previously.
Injury Report
The Michigan State Spartans have been without star freshman Miles Bridges for several games but he is expected to be back from injury for this one. It’s big-time boost for Michigan State, which gets its best player back into the fold as the meat of the conference schedule beckons.
Bridges is averaging 16.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game on the season while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from the three-point range.
Bridges is one of the better freshmen basketball players in the nation, but it will be interesting to see if it takes time for him to jell again with his teammates. The Spartans have found others to step up in his absence and Bridges may be brought along slowly early on.
Even so, his return is a key addition in this matchup.
Player to Watch
Mike Watkins -- One of Penn State’s best players on both ends of the court is its freshman forward. Watkins is averaging 10.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per contest.
The offense doesn’t get run through him as the team has good balance and other players who can score, but he is often in the area for putbacks and is a big-time presence on the defensive end.
One of Watkins’ best games of the season came in December against St. John’s, when he registered 15 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. He will aim to give Michigan State problems in the lane when the Spartans aim to get to the hoop.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Michigan State has not played as well as expected this season but it has at least gotten off to a nice start in the Big Ten. The proof will be in the pudding later on when the Spartans face off against some elite foes, so this is one they need to win.
Penn State doesn’t have the type of talent to pull this one out, even being at home. Michigan State may not be making a run in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament but can help get itself there by piling up the wins, including in this one.
Check the spread because Penn State may be able to cover this one, but it’s the Spartans who will emerge victorious as their conference games continue to go well after a tough non-conference slate.
College Basketball Odds: Michigan State 76, Penn State 65
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