7:03 pm
March 4

Michigan State @ #2 Michigan

Who will WIN this matchup?

Michigan State Spartans (14-10)

@ #2 Michigan Wolverines (18-2)

 

Current odds:

Michigan State Spartans: (+600)

Michigan Wolverines: (-900)

 

• The line for this game is Michigan by 12 points.

• The way that No. 4 Illinois dismantled Michigan was a shock to the system for the second-ranked Wolverines. A pair of games against in-state rival Michigan State gives them a chance to restore their confidence before the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments begin.

• Playing without leading scorer Ayo Dosunmu, the Fighting Illini blew out the Wolverines 76-53 at Ann Arbor’s Crisler Center on Tuesday. Michigan will play its final home game of the season on Thursday, then head to East Lansing for Sunday’s rematch with the Spartans.

• Michigan (18-2, 13-2 Big Ten) remains in first place in the conference standings but needs at least one victory over the Spartans to clinch the regular-season title.

• The Wolverines’ top offensive threats — Isaiah Livers, Hunter Dickinson and Franz Wagner — average a combined 41.4 points per game. Against Illinois, that trio produced just 15 points on 4-for-24 shooting from the field.

• Michigan State (14-10, 8-10) collected a much-needed 64-58 win over Indiana on Tuesday. The Spartans probably need to beat the Wolverines at least once, along with a good showing in the conference tournament, to receive an NCAA Tournament berth.

• They’ll also need Aaron Henry to finish strong. The Spartans have won six of their last nine games. In those victories, Henry averaged 20.5 points. He had 22 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals against the Hoosiers. All but four of his points came in the second half.

8/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
#2 Michigan Wolverines
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