Duke vs. Michigan State Prediction: Can Spartans Keep It Close with Duke in Champions Classic?
The Michigan State Spartans will battle the Duke Blue Devils on Tuesday night in the annual Champions Classic. Can the Spartans overcome their tumultuous first week and keep it close with the Blue Devils on the biggest stage? Krabs breaks down the matchup with his Duke vs. Michigan State prediction.
Krabs - November 14, 2023, 4:15 PM EST
5 minDuke vs. Michigan State Prediction: Can Spartans Keep It Close with Duke in Champions Classic?
Two preseason top-five teams in the country face off in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night. It hasn’t been an ideal start to the season for Duke or Michigan State, who have both fallen in the rankings after losing last week. Which historic program will pull out a win on ESPN tonight, and more importantly, which team will cover?
Kansas vs. Kentucky Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: November 14, 2023
- Game Time: 9:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN
Duke vs. Michigan State Prediction
Michigan State has yet to look sharp this season. They lost their home opener to James Madison in overtime, and went on to beat Southern Indiana, but failed to outscore them in the second half of an unimpressive victory. They haven’t shot the ball well at all, only making two three-pointers in their first two contests. I’m willing to bet the Spartans’ luck turns around at the Champions Classic tonight...
Duke is loaded once again with one of the best rosters in the country, but they are coming off a loss at home to Arizona as 5-point favorites. As soon as the Wildcats closed that game out, I knew the public would pounce on the Blue Devils in a bounce-back spot. With more than 80% of bets and handle backing Duke on the moneyline, and more than 75% of bets and handle betting on them to cover, it seems like the entire world is on the Blue Devils tonight.
Personally, I think this is a brutal matchup for Duke at a neutral site against a much more physical team. Duke might have the tallest guy out there in Filipowski, but the Spartans have a veteran squad of juniors and seniors who don’t mind playing bully-ball. The Blue Devils have plenty of talent, but they are young and more skilled.
I’m expecting Tom Izzo’s Spartans to come out fast and aggressive in this contest, using their weight to their advantage and feeding guys like Malik Hall, Mady Sissoko and freshman Xavier Booker on the block. Sissoko might not be 7 feet tall, but he plays like it with his wide build. If the Spartans double up Filipowski down-low with Sissoko and Hall, the Blue Devils will be relying on the rest of their young, lengthy squad to make plays, which is exactly what Izzo wants.
With the public expecting a bounce-back from the Blue Devils, fade Duke against the physical Spartans. Nobody wants to back Sparty after only making two three-pointers in their first two games combined, but I’m willing to bet Izzo "rights the ship" at the Champions Classic tonight.
Duke vs. Michigan State Prediction
Pick: Michigan State +4 (-110) is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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