If you’re a college basketball fan, you’re probably going to be tuned into Friday night’s Michigan vs Michigan State game in East Lansing.
Spartan fans probably aren’t too thrilled to have Gus Johnson on the call, but Bill Raftery makes up for that, and hopefully the Breslin Center crowd is so loud we don’t have to hear him gush over Michigan football. Gus and Bill will be an interesting listen, but no one will be worried about the commentary, but rather the play on the court.
Michigan State is 19-2 on the season and ranked No. 7 in the country. The Spartans just had a scare against a bad Rutgers team on the road, but prevailed in overtime. They almost got caught looking ahead.
Michigan is 19-1 on the year and the Wolverines are ranked No. 3. They also just had a scare, but they scratched and clawed out a win over No. 5 Nebraska without two of its best players at home. They, too, almost got caught looking ahead to this massive rivalry matchup.
Friday night is going to be a movie.
Michigan State still a home underdog vs. Michigan
Michigan State opened as an underdog, and the Spartans remain just that heading into Friday night’s showdown against the rival Wolverines.
Note: Odds courtesy of DraftKings
Line: Michigan State +1.5
Over/Under: 147.5
Moneyline: Michigan State +100 | Michigan -120
Michigan State is going to have its hands full with one of the best frontcourts in the country. Michigan has three bigs who could start on any team in the country, so it’s going to be up to Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper to lock things down in the post.
Hopefully they can stay out of foul trouble or, better yet, get the Wolverines’ bigs into foul trouble.
I think Michigan State takes care of business as the slight home underdog, though. This is going to be tightly-contested throughout, but the tougher team is going to win, and I think that’ll be the Spartans. Jeremy Fears is going to pull his best Cassius Winston impression and will Michigan State to a win over the Wolverines, scoring 16 points with 11 assists.
Michigan State silences some doubters, feeds off the crowd, and gives Izzo the best birthday present he could ask for.
Final score: Michigan 69, Michigan State 74