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Final odds and a prediction for Michigan State basketball vs. North Carolina

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 26, 2024; Lahaina, Hawaii, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts to play during the first half against the Memphis Tigers at Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-Imagn Images
Nov 26, 2024; Lahaina, Hawaii, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts to play during the first half against the Memphis Tigers at Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-Imagn Images / Marco Garcia-Imagn Images
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There aren't many coaches better than Tom Izzo in college basketball right now and although the Michigan State basketball program has fallen on some hard times, per the Spartans' standards, he's always going to have his guys ready to face any major opponent.

Unfortunately, he was unable to lead Michigan State past Memphis on Tuesday.

The Spartans came up shirt against the Tigers, 71-63, in one of the most disappointing performances in recent memory as the post players were just bullied for 40 minutes. What had been a strength through the first six games became a weakness all of a sudden on Tuesday.

Now Izzo must find a way to game-plan for North Carolina on Wednesday, looking to avoid a second straight loss in Maui. The Tar Heels are one of the better teams in college basketball but they have had a shaky tournament showing, coming back from down nearly 20 to beat Dayton and then losing to Auburn by double figures on Tuesday.

What does Vegas think about this matchup?

Note: Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of Nov. 27.

Line: North Carolina -5
Over/Under: 158
Moneyline: North Carolina -205 | Michigan State +170

Vegas thinks this is going to go the way most Michigan State fans also expect. The Spartans will play up to the Tar Heels (even though I think both teams are probably on the same level) and they'll come up just short in the clutch because they don't have a true go-to scorer.

Michigan State will fall just short despite hanging with North Carolina and leading for a good chunk of the game as the Spartans fall to 5-3 on the year. The 3-ball will cause problems yet again.

Prediction: Michigan State 67, North Carolina 72

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