The first Big Ten game of 2025 for Michigan State basketball is fast approaching and the Spartans are hoping to start off the new year on the right foot.
After ending 2024 on a six-game winning streak, the Spartans are hoping to improve to 3-0 in conference play on Friday night with their second road conference game of the season. They'll be in Columbus to take on Ohio State (9-4, 1-1 Big Ten) which has been getting hot lately with some key players back in action.
The Buckeyes have won three straight, including a 20-point win over Kentucky, since losing 91-53 to Auburn last month and they'll be looking to make it four in a row on Friday.
It feels like this game could go either way, but Vegas has the No. 18 Spartans as the underdogs heading into the resumption of conference play. In fact, Michigan State is an underdog for the first time since facing North Carolina in Maui back in November.
Here are the final odds from Vegas as of Friday afternoon.
Note: Odds come from Draft Kings.
Line: Ohio State -2.5
Over/Under: 149
Moneyline: Ohio State -148 | Michigan State +124
Vegas believes in Ohio State in this one and while home-court advantage accounts for a few points, it's still interesting to see No. 18 Michigan State as an underdog against a Buckeye team that hasn't lived up to expectations yet this season -- outside of that Kentuckt win.
I believe in Michigan State even though I know this will be its toughest conference battle to date and I think this one will be back and forth all night long.
In the end, Jaden Akins and Frankie Fidler will hit some huge shots and Jeremy Fears will make the play defensively while the Spartans dominate the glass to win on the road and avenge last season's home loss to the Buckeyes.
Final score: Michigan State 80, Ohio State 76