Michigan State vs. Gonzaga Prediction
Unranked Michigan State and #2 Gonzaga both travel to San Diego to play each other on the USS Abraham Lincoln at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday night.
Can the Bulldogs cover the 10.5-point spread as neutral site favorites?
Michigan State went 23-13 last season. This year, they’re 1-0 with their lone win coming against Northern Arizona. The Spartans are 0-1 against the spread this year.
Gonzaga went 28-4 last season. They won their first game of the year against North Florida on Monday. The Bulldogs are 1-0 against the spread this year.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
639 Michigan State Spartans (+10.5) vs. 640 Gonzaga Bulldogs (-10.5); O/U 145.5
6:30 p.m. ET, Friday, November 11, 2022
USS Abraham Lincoln, San Diego, CA
Michigan State vs. Gonzaga Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that the public is favoring the Spartans in this game. Our public betting data shows that 53% of public bets are on Michigan State +10.5. Do note that those numbers are subject to change and could be different once tipoff rolls around, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Michigan State Game Notes
Michigan State senior forward Joey Hauser was the Spartans’ fifth-leading scorer last season at 7.3 points per game. He will be much more of an offensive focal point for Michigan State this year if the Spartans’ first game was any indication. In that game, Joey Hauser led all Michigan State players with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Hauser is a career 39.4% three-point shooter and made 4 of 8 three-point tries in Michigan State’s win over Northern Arizona on Monday.
In the backcourt, Michigan State has guards Tyson Walker and A.J. Hoggard returning to the team. Both players will likely have larger scoring roles this season, especially Hoggard. In Michigan State’s game on Monday, A.J. Hoggard dished out 8 assists which led the team and chipped in 9 points on 7 shot attempts. Michigan State’s guards will have to be at their best to cover the spread against a great Gonzaga team on Friday.
Gonzaga Game Notes
For Gonzaga, the story of their team begins with senior forward Drew Timme. Timme won the West Coast Conference Player of the Year Award and was named a consensus second-team All-American last season. He led the Bulldogs in scoring last season at 18.4 points per game and led the way in their Monday win over North Florida. In that contest, Timme scored 22 points on 10-19 shooting. Drew Timme is the engine that makes Gonzaga go, and he’ll need to produce in a big way if Gonzaga is going to cover the double-digit spread in San Diego on Friday.
Gonzaga returns a pair of guards who both averaged over 11 points per game last season in Julian Strawther and Rasir Bolton. Strawther had the better game of the two on Monday, posting 16 points and 5 boards on 5-7 shooting from the field. Both Bolton and Strawthers will have to show improved passing skills to get Drew Timme the ball in the post with a chance to score on Friday, as neither player averaged more than 2.5 assists per game last season.
Michigan State vs. Gonzaga CBB Betting Trends
Michigan State is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.
Michigan State is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Gonzaga is 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Gonzaga is 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
Michigan State vs. Gonzaga CBB Prediction:
This game is being played on an aircraft carrier at 3:30 PM local time in San Diego. Michigan State has actually played a game on an aircraft carrier before. They lost 67-55 against North Carolina on November 11, 2011, while playing aboard the USS Carl Vinson. I think that experience helps them to navigate this game against the #2 ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs. I think Michigan State is able to keep it close enough to cover the number.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS +10.5
