The Mississippi State Bulldogs (21-13) are set to take on the Michigan State Spartans (19-14) in the very first game on Thursday. It is a battle of two teams who were inconsistent throughout the year. Tom Izzo often has his team playing their best in March, but the Bulldogs have one of the most electric freshmen in the nation.
Is this the start of another special Spartans run, or will the Bulldogs take down this college football powerhouse?
Mississippi State Bulldogs Vs. Michigan State Spartans Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Money Line |
| Michigan State Spartans | -1
-112 |
O 130.5
-108 |
-120 |
| Mississippi State Bulldogs | -9.5
-112 |
U 130.5
-112 |
+100 |
| **Odds Courtesy of DraftKings** | |||
Mississippi State Bulldogs Vs. Michigan State Spartans Fixtures
- Fixture: Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Michigan State Spartans
- Date and Time: March 21, 2024 @ 11:15 EST
- Location: Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC
Apex Tale of the Tape
| Mississippi State Bulldogs | Vs. | Michigan State Spartans |
| 21-13 | Record | 19-14 |
| 74.8 | Points Per Game | 73.1 |
| 45.5 | FG% | 46.1 |
| 32.5 | 3PT% | 35.9 |
| 35.1 | Rebounds Per Game | 31.7 |
| 69.1 | Points Allowed Per Game | 65.9 |
| 41.6 | Defensive FG% | 41.2 |
| 29.4 | Defensive 3PT% | 32.8 |
| 67.2 | FT% | 70.6 |
| 29.4 | Defensive Rebounds Against | 29.9 |
| 2-3 | Last 5 W-L | 2-3 |
| 70.8 | Team Pace | 68.4 |
Key Stats
Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Mississippi State Bulldogs have one of the best freshmen in the country, Josh Hubbard. At 17.1 points per game, he is the engine that makes their offense go. If he doesn’t have it on a certain night, this team struggles to score. The Bulldogs have hit the over in six of their last nine games. However, they are on a three-game streak of hitting the under. Vegas seems to have corrected the numbers on the Bulldogs.
It is a coin flip with Mississippi State. They are 5-5 in their last ten games and 5-5 against the spread. It speaks to the inconsistency this team faces.
Michigan State Spartans
For the Michigan State Spartans, the question you have to ask is, how much do you believe in Tom Izzo? This team has shown no consistency throughout the season and has struggled to score. They have hit the under in 21 of their last 35 games. They have the upperclassmen experience but can never seem to string together wins.
The Spartans have been decent at covering the spread in the last ten games, going 6-4.
Injury Report
Mississippi State Bulldogs
- Andrew Taylor – Personal
Michigan State Spartans
- Jeremy Fears Jr. – Leg
- Steven Izzo – Undisclosed
- Gehrig Normand – Foot
Game Prediction
The Tom Izzo magic hasn’t been there for the past few years. Don’t be fooled by thinking about the past. This Spartans team is not good. They have only beaten two good teams all year, Baylor and Illinois. The Mississippi State Bulldogs have a huge advantage in two key areas. First, they hold their opponents to a sub-30 percent three-point percentage. They should suffocate the Spartans on the perimeter.
Second, the Bulldogs know how to rebound. They will dominate the boards and hold the Michigan State Spartans to one-and-done possessions. Vegas is being fooled by the Tom Izzo magic. Take the plus odds on the money line and give me the under as well.
Final Pick
Mississippi +100 and Under 130.5
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Ryan Callahan is a writer from Long Island, New York. A graduate of Boston University, his college basketball rooting interests are not exactly thrilling, but hey, we can’t all go to Kansas.
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