Michigan State vs. Notre Dame Odds
| Michigan State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -115 | 139.5 -110o / -110u | -122 |
| Notre Dame Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -105 | 139.5 -110o / -110u | +102 |
Michigan State heads to South Bend to take on Notre Dame in what will be the final game of the last-ever ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Spartans are a bit banged up for this one, with Malik Hall ruled out and Jaden Akins looking doubtful to play.
Meanwhile for Notre Dame, there is hope that Niagara transfer Marcus Hammond will be available for the first time this season.
Michigan State has gotten off to a nice start to the season with wins over Kentucky, Villanova and Oregon in its first seven games.
Notre Dame has played a relatively weak schedule to this point, winning five games at the Joyce Center before losing last weak to St. Bonaventure in Long Island.
Who has the edge in this one with MSU sitting as a short road favorite? Let's discuss.
Michigan State Spartans
Tom Izzo has one of his better backcourts in recent memory, headlined by the duo of AJ Hoggard and Tyson Walker.
Both have been incredibly efficient to start the year, resulting in a top-20 offense in adjOE in November. The Spartans have limited turnovers and are getting quality shots in the half court more times than not.
On the inside, Mady Sissoko has stepped up now that he's seeing more minutes. Sissoko is a rim protector and has also done a nice job on the offensive glass. He'll have a significant size advantage on Nate Laszewski in this matchup, so he could have an opportunity to score it with his back to the basket.
Izzo needs a little bit more consistency from veteran Joey Hauser, especially with Akins and Hall out.
Defensively, the Spartans will need to make a concentrated effort to chase the Irish shooters off the three point line. Guys like Sissoko and Jaxon Kohler are not used to having to step out to the perimeter, but they will need to when facing Brey's small ball lineup.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame can shoot it as well as any team in the country, especially when the Irish are in the friendly confines of the Joyce Center.
All five of Mike Brey's starters are capable 3-point shooters, particularly Laszewski who can be lethal stepping out behind the arc.
The Irish under Brey have always aimed to be extremely efficient offensively, and then get by as best they can on defense.
This year is no exception. Per KenPom, ND currently ranks inside the top 30 in adjusted offensive efficiency, and outside the top 160 in adjDE.
With Hammond sidelined to start the year, Brey has only been going six deep with all five starters averaging more than 30 minutes a game. The Irish really need Hammond back to get some depth in the backcourt and add another reliable ball handler.
As an undersized team to begin with, keeping MSU off the glass will be critical if ND wants to get the win at home.
After a rough shooting night against the Bonnies, I expect the Irish to play much better offensively in their own building. If they can limit the Spartans' second-chance opportunities, they should be able to build some margin.
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame Betting Pick
I expect this matchup to be very closely contested and back-and-forth the entire way. Notre Dame is gifted offensively and will be able to score it plenty on a Spartans defense that is just OK right now.
On the other end, the Spartans should be able to get some offensive rebounds against a vulnerable Irish interior which will give them some second chance opportunities.
With the Michigan State injuries and Brey's short rotation, this game should feature very few bench points.
With limited opportunities to add resume wins in its nonconference schedule, I think you'll get a very spirited effort from a veteran Notre Dame team at home. This group wants to get back to the NCAA Tournament, and understands the importance of this game.
I like the Irish to be able to make enough threes to keep pace in this one and have a good chance to win it at the end.
As a result, give me the home team as a small underdog in what should be a fun one Wednesday night.
Pick: Notre Dame +2.5 |
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