Sunday’s Michigan State vs Michigan game is going to be one of the most-watched games of the week — and probably the season — as the Spartans will head to Ann Arbor to face the No. 3 Wolverines in a much-anticipated rematch.
Tom Izzo and the Spartans lost round one as Michigan came to East Lansing and punked the green and white. Michigan State didn’t look prepared for that one, trailing by nearly 20 points at halftime before mounting a comeback, taking a late lead, and then crumbling under pressure to fall to Michigan for the first time in years.
The Spartans are looking to avoid that first two-game sweep in years, too. Michigan has been playing better than every team in college basketball this season outside of Duke.
Michigan, on the other hand, is looking to finish the Big Ten season with an incredible 19-1 record, but the Spartans could spoil that with an “upset” on Sunday.
Vegas doesn’t see that as a likely outcome, and I can’t blame the oddsmakers. Michigan State was dominated on its own floor a month ago, so why wouldn’t Michigan be a heavy favorite on its own court on Senior Day?
Just how lopsided is Vegas expecting this game to be?
Note: Odds via DraftKings as of Sunday, March 8
Line: Michigan -9.5
Over/Under: 151.5
Moneyline: Michigan -500 | Michigan State +380
Vegas doesn’t expect this to be much of a game. You don’t often see two top-10 teams with this large of a margin, especially when they’re in-state rivals, but the expectation is that Michigan takes care of home court and finishes the Big Ten season 19-1.
This is going to be an interesting rematch.
Predicting Michigan State vs Michigan
This game is big for bragging rights, and a Michigan State win would actually be meaningful despite the Big Ten title being secured by the Wolverines already.
A win for Michigan State would put it in the conversation for a 1-seed — more than it already is. The Spartans are one of four teams vying for that last 1-seed along with UConn, Florida, and Houston. It’s going to take a near-perfect effort to pull this off, but Izzo will have his guys ready.
Will it be enough?
I think Michigan State holds its own, and has a chance to win late. Everything is going to hinge on if the Spartans can hit threes consistently. I see Jeremy Fears having a huge game and Coen Carr, too.
Prediction: Michigan State 74, Michigan 73