Northwestern vs. Michigan State Prediction
Unranked Northwestern heads to East Lansing, MI to face #20 Michigan State at 7:00 PM ET Sunday night. Can the Spartans cover the 6.5-point spread as home favorites?
Northwestern is 5-2 on the year with their best wins coming over Georgetown and Liberty. Their only losses came against Auburn and Pittsburgh. The Wildcats are 4-3 against the spread this season.
Michigan State is 5-3 this season with their best wins coming over Kentucky and Villanova. Their worst losses came against Alabama and Notre Dame. The Spartans are 3-5 against the spread this year.
Game Matchup and Betting Odds
785 Northwestern Wildcats (+6.5) vs. 786 Michigan State Spartans (-6.5); O/U 126.5
7:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 4, 2022
Breslin Center, East Lansing, MI
Northwestern vs. Michigan State Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that the public favors the Spartans in this contest. Our public betting data illustrates that 82% of public bets are on Michigan State -6.5. Do note that these 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.
Northwestern Game Notes
Northwestern guard Boo Buie is one of the Wildcats’ best players. Buie leads the team in points per game (12.9) and assists per game (4.4). He’s also averaging 4 rebounds per game and 1.1 steals per game. Boo Buie will likely have to improve his shooting numbers (35% from the field, 33.3% from three) if Northwestern is going to cover this game on the road on Sunday.
Up front Northwestern is led by senior forward Robbie Beran. Beran is averaging 10.1 points per contest and leads the Wildcats in rebounding at 6.6 per game. His defensive play against Michigan State forward Joey Hauser will be a big factor in this game.
Michigan State Game Notes
Michigan State senior guard Tyson Walker leads the Spartans in minutes per game (37) and points per game (15.1). He was instrumental in Michigan State’s November 18th win over Villanova, pouring in 22 points on 9-14 shooting and dishing out 5 dimes. He struggled in Michigan State’s last game shooting only 4-13 in the Spartans’ 70-52 road loss to Notre Dame. He’ll need to be better for Michigan State to cover.
Spartans’ senior forward Joey Hauser has been one of Michigan State’s best players all year. Hauser is second on the team in minutes (33.5 per game) and scoring (13.6 points per game). What’s more, Hauser is leading the team in rebounding at 6.6 per game and he leads the Spartans in 3-point attempts (4.6 per game) and 3-point shooting percentage (45.9%). He’ll likely need to score in double figures for the 4th straight game for Michigan State to win and cover on Sunday.
Northwestern vs. Michigan State CBB Betting Trends
Northwestern is 3-9 ATS in their last 12 Sunday games.
Northwestern is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Michigan State is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following an outright loss.
The home team is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings between Northwestern and Michigan State.
Northwestern vs. Michigan State CBB Prediction:
Michigan State is a battle-tested team. They have wins over Kentucky, Villanova, and Oregon already this year, and they lost to Gonzaga by 1 point. This means they’ll be ready to face a Northwestern team that only has one major conference win on its resume. In Northwestern’s last game against Pittsburgh, the Wildcats allowed the Panthers to make 14 out of 22 three-pointers on the way to an 87-58 Pittsburgh win. Northwestern ranks 97th in college basketball in three-point percentage field goal defense. This is a problem because Michigan State has four players who shoot over 36% from beyond the arc. I think Michigan State makes enough three-pointers to win this one going away. I’ll lay the points with the Spartans.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS -6.5
