Number 16 Michigan State heads to Evanston to face unranked Northwestern on Sunday afternoon. The game is at 12:00 PM ET on FOX. Can Michigan State cover the 2.5-point spread as road favorites? Keep reading for our Michigan State vs. Northwestern prediction.
The Michigan State Spartans are 13-2 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 10-5 ATS this season.
The Northwestern Wildcats are 10-5 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 8-6-1 ATS this season.
Michigan State vs. Northwestern Matchup & Betting Odds
839 Michigan State Spartans (-2.5) at 840 Northwestern Wildcats (+2.5); o/u 136
12:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, January 12, 2025
Welsh-Ryan Arena, Evanston, IL
TV: FOX
Michigan State vs. Northwestern Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that 55% of public bettors are currently backing Michigan State when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Michigan State Spartans Game Notes
Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. posted a double-double in his team’s 88-54 blowout win over Washington on Thursday night. The freshman from Joliet, IL recorded 12 points, 2 rebounds, 10 assists, a steal, and a made three-pointer. Fears shot 4 of 8 from the field and 3 of 4 from the foul line in the victory.
Michigan State guard Jaden Akins also played well in his team’s game on Thursday. The 6’4” senior logged 20 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and 2 made three-pointers. Akins leads the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game this year.
Northwestern Wildcats Game Notes
Wildcats guard Angelo Ciaravino was electric off the bench in his team’s 79-61 loss to Purdue last Sunday. In 21 minutes of playing time, the 6’6” freshman put up 19 points, 4 rebounds, and a steal. Ciaravino shot 8 of 14 from the floor and 3 of 7 from beyond the arc in the loss.
Northwestern guard Brooks Barnhizer stuffed the stat sheet in his team’s game this past Sunday. The senior from Lafayette, IN recorded 11 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal, 3 blocks, and a made three-pointer. Barnhizer is second on the team in scoring with 19.3 points per game this season.
Michigan State vs. Northwestern CBB Betting Trends
Michigan State is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games against Northwestern.
The Spartans are 9-12 ATS as a road favorite since the start of the 2020 season.
Northwestern is 8-2 ATS as a home underdog since the start of the 2022 season.
Northwestern is 20-10-1 ATS when playing with the rest advantage since the beginning of the 2022 season.
Michigan State vs. Northwestern CBB Prediction:
Northwestern will have a significant rest advantage in this game. The Wildcats last played on Sunday, January 5th against Purdue. Michigan State last played on Thursday, January 9th against Washington. Northwestern has been good when playing on extra rest the past few seasons. The Wildcats are 11-5-1 ATS when playing with the rest advantage since the start of last year.
What’s more, Northwestern has been great at home as an underdog over the past few campaigns. The Wildcats are 12-8-2 ATS as a home underdog since the start of the 2020 season. And finally, Northwestern has been excellent in Big Ten play over the past handful of years. The Wildcats are 29-17 ATS in conference games since the start of the 2022 season. For all of those reasons, I’m taking Northwestern and the points at home on Sunday afternoon.