Gearing up for Big Ten play by looking for its sixth straight victory, Michigan State basketball will host Western Michigan on Monday afternoon to end the 2024 calendar year.
The Spartans (10-2) have been on fire lately, winning five straight games, including an overtime win over North Carolina and a 37-point victory over a Nebraska team that has been one of the biggest surprises in the Big Ten. The Spartans also covered the spread against a decent FAU team on Saturday afternoon in East Lansing.
And they'll be looking to do the same against a Western Michigan (3-8) team that has lost four straight, including a half-court buzzer-beater loss in their last time out against Valparaiso.
Dwayne Stephens is the head coach of Western now and will be the second former Michigan State assistant under Tom Izzo (Tum Tum with Bowling Green was the other last month) to visit East Lansing to face his former mentor and boss.
Tum Tum didn't have any luck despite flirting with an upset, but will Stephens fare any better?
Here's what Vegas thinks of Saturday's matchup, odds-wise:
Note: Odds via DraftKings as of Monday, Dec. 30.
Line: Michigan State -27.5
Over/Under: 146.5
Moneyline: Michigan State -50000 | Western Michigan +4000
As you can see, Vegas thinks this will be a blowout in the Spartans' favor, and I tend to agree. Michigan State has had a bad habit of playing down to opponents (Bowling Green) in recent years, but I think the Spartans' defense and depth will be too much for the Broncos. Jase Richardson goes off for a career-high and Michigan State wins big.
Prediction: Western Michigan 58, Michigan State 88