Late-season matchups between the Michigan State Spartans have traditionally had a on on the line, including conference championships. Michigan State has lived up to its end of the bargain again this season but Wisconsin is near the Big Ten cellar as the teams prepare to face off.
The Spartans are looking to lock down the regular season conference title and secure a No. 1 seed for March Madness with a win in this regular season finale. Even though Wisconsin has the luxury of playing at home in this contest, it figures to be a significant underdog against Michigan State.
At 1 p.m. ET, tune into CBS for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Sunday, February 25, 2018, at the Kohl Center
We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Sunday schedule.
Odds Analysis
Michigan State is 27-3 straight up and 15-13-2 against the spread. The Spartans have not done that well on the road this season with a record of just 2-5-1 against the spread. Michigan State has been favored in every one of its games this season.
Wisconsin is 13-16 straight up and 13-15 against the spread. The Badgers have covered in half of their 16 games at home this year. Wisconsin is 6-5 against the spread as the underdog on the year.
Key Stat
11. That’s how many games in a row Michigan State has won. It has been able to surpass both Purdue and Ohio State in the Big Ten standings and now sits alone in first place, meaning a win here clinches another conference title.
The Spartans have a win over the then-No. 3 Boilermakers among other impressive ones. There are some excellent teams around the country that can make their claim as the best team in the country, but Michigan State is right there with all of them.
The Spartans are averaging 82.6 points per game while only allowing 64.7 per contest and have a star to rely on in Miles Bridges. He is averaging 17.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and nearly a block per game. The Badgers will need to keep Bridges under control to have a shot at the upset.
Previous Meeting
In the middle of Michigan State’s current winning streak was a victory over Wisconsin the first time the teams met this season. The Spartans burst out to a 37-21 lead at the half and then cruised to a 76-61 victory.
The inability to score has been a big issue for the Badgers this season. They have a strong post player in Ethan Happ, but he is not getting much help. Happ had 23 points in the first matchup but Michigan State has so much firepower Wisconsin will really need to shoot well from the outside this time around.
Bridges had 24 points against Wisconsin the first time and Michigan State shot 50 percent from the field against a Badgers team that prides itself on defense. The Spartans had eight more rebounds, and by limiting Wisconsin’s possessions they were able to easily pull out the win.
Free NCAA Men’s Basketball ATS Picks
Michigan State is locked in and has the huge talent advantage in this one. While playing on the road in conference is always a concern, the Spartans know what is at stake.
Look for an inspired effort from the Spartans, who should be able to follow the blueprint of the first game and jump out to a solid lead and keeping it down the stretch. Wisconsin just doesn’t have the scoring firepower to hang around against such an elite opponent.
Take the Spartans to win this game and they could be the right call against the spread as long as it doesn’t come in too high.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Odds: Michigan State 77, Wisconsin 60
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