Michigan State vs. Mississippi State Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, Latest Odds For Round of 64
The Michigan State Spartans will battle the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first game on Thursday afternoon to tip off March Madness. Can Tom Izzo and Sparty continue their winning ways in March with a first round victory? Matt McCuen provides his prediction and best bet in Michigan State vs. Mississippi State.
Matt McCuen - March 21, 2024, 8:00 AM EDT
5 minMichigan State vs. Mississippi State Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, Latest Odds For Round of 64
The Michigan State Spartans and the Mississippi State Bulldogs will meet from Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday afternoon to tip off March Madness.
Michigan State vs. Mississippi State DATE, TIME, WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
- Game Time: 12:15 pm ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
Michigan State vs. Mississippi State Prediction
Michigan State had an up-and-down season.
Tom Izzo's squad began the season ranked fourth in the nation.
The Spartans fell out of the top 25 after the season's first month and never returned.
Despite their struggles to break into the top 25, Michigan State did enough to find its way into the Big Dance.
Sparty comes into the tournament with a record of 19-14.
Senior Tyson Walker leads the squad with 18.2 points per game.
Illinois native Malik Hall has added 12.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
A.J. Hoggard has averaged 11.0 points and a team-best 5.2 assists.
Michigan State has averaged 73.1 points per game, while opponents have averaged 65.9.
Mississippi State enters this contest with a 21-13 record.
Chris Jans has to feel good about where his team ended up.
The Bulldogs were ranked in early December, and spent the majority of their season on the bubble.
Miss State reached the SEC semifinals, where they came up short vs. the Auburn Tigers.
Freshman Josh Hubbard leads the Bulldogs with 17.1 points per game.
Mississippi native Tolu Smith leads the team with 8.4 rebounds and 15.2 points.
Cameron Matthews has added 9.5 points and 6.9 rebounds.
Miss State averaged 74.8 points per game while giving up 69.1.
Michigan State vs. Mississippi State Prediction
The Spartans are the more experienced and deeper team.
A very similar Michigan State roster went on a run in March last year.
Sparty is the better defensive team, as they rank 24th in points allowed per game.
Lastly, Miss State is one of the worst free-throw-shooting teams in college basketball, which will be essential in a close game. The Bulldogs rank 323rd with a free throw percentage of 67.2%.
Pick: Michigan State ML -120 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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