The Michigan State Spartans are in the middle of a comfortable stretch where they get to beat up on the lesser teams in the Big Ten. It’s definitely needed for the Spartans. The school was thumped by both Ohio State and Michigan despite being a moderate favorite in each game earlier this month, and needed to get some of its confidence back. Michigan State is hoping that it can keep up its recent form when it takes on the Wisconsin Badgers this Friday night.
This war on the floor will go down Friday, January 26, 2018, at 8 p.m. ET at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan. The game will be televised live on FS1. We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Friday schedule.
Opening College Basketball Odds at BookMaker.eu
Michigan State has looked much better in its last two games. The Spartans went out and walloped Indiana by 28 points last Friday, and they followed that up with a double-digit win against Illinois on Monday night. Michigan State was able to cover both games, pushing its record to 13-8 ATS this year.
Over has been a very good play in Michigan State games. The Spartans can score with almost anyone in the country, and the defense has had some issues in conference play. Over has cashed in three of the last four and in 60 percent of the team’s games overall this season.
Wisconsin’s only win in its last five games came against winless Illinois. The Badgers have not looked good this season. They have won just three Big Ten games and were blown out by Iowa in their last conference game on Tuesday night.
This team is typically known for its staunch defense, but the offense has really struggled too. That has bene good news for under bettors, who have seen the under go 5-1-1 in Wisconsin’s last seven games.
Player to Watch
Miles Bridges can do it all. Michigan State knew it was fortunate to get Bridges back for one more season after what he showed as a freshman. He would have been a lock to be a first-round selection in last year’s draft, and getting him back made this team a contender to win it all.
Although the Spartans have had some hiccups, Bridges has largely shined. He put together one of his best performances of the season against Illinois on Monday night, shooting 11-13 from the floor to finish with 31 points in a 13-point victory.
However, it’s fair to say that we expected a little more from Bridges this season. Michigan State is more talented this year than it was last year, yet his numbers have remained pretty much the same. Bridges is capable of taking over games, and we need to see more of that.
Key Stat
The Badgers defense has been awfully porous this season. While Wisconsin isn’t giving up a ton of points compared to many other teams throughout the country, it is a lot considering the style of basketball this team plays.
Wisconsin has allowed teams to hit 46.2 percent of their field goals and 36.3 percent of their three-point chances this season. Both of those numbers rank in the bottom 100 in college basketball, and are the main reason the Badgers have a losing record.
Iowa was able to dominate the interior against this team and get a lot of easy buckets. Michigan State has a much more talented frontcourt and could expose this team badly.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
This is just a bad matchup for Wisconsin. Ethan Happ is the only reliable presence in the frontcourt and as along as Michigan State contains him, it will be fine. The Spartans are going to roll in this one thanks to their big men up front getting the job done.
College Basketball Odds: Michigan State 82, Wisconsin 68
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