The third-seeded Kansas State Wildcats try to avoid the upset and advance to the Elite Eight when they face the seventh-seeded Michigan State Spartans in a Sweet 16 matchup in the NCAA Tournament’s East Region on Thursday in New York.
These two NCAA basketball teams are playing at a high level right now, so let’s take a closer look at this Sweet 16 contest and make our best Michigan State vs Kansas State prediction.
Michigan State Spartans vs. Kansas State Wildcats Odds
Michigan State vs. Kansas State Information
Michigan State Spartans vs Kansas State Wildcats
Location of the game: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY.
Date and Time: Thursday, March 23, 2023, 6:30 PM ET
How to Watch: TBS
Updates for Michigan State vs. Kansas State
The Spartans have been winning despite lacking in one of their best attributes all season: 3-point shooting. Michigan State is just 7-of-30 from beyond the arc in two NCAA Tournament games, including hitting just 2-of-16 in the win over Marquette, after shooting 39.5% on 3-pointers entering the Big Dance.
Guard Tyson Walker is one of those college basketball players that can get hot and carry a team, so the Wildcats will have to pay close attention to him.
Forward Joey Hauser is another sharpshooter that can catch fire from the perimeter, but he’s also solid inside the arc. Hauser had a double-double of 14 points and ten rebounds against Marquette, and he’s averaging 16.4 points and 7.4 rebounds over the last five games.
After struggling with injuries all season, coach Tom Izzo’s team has no one on the college basketball injury report heading into this contest.
From Bracket Busters to Sweet 16
When people were filling out their NCAA March Madness bracket, most had Kansas State losing in this round, if they made it at all. Still, the Wildcats are the top-seeded team left in the East Region heading into the Sweet 16, and they’re looking to beat the NCAAB odds again and advance to the Elite Eight.
To do so, they’ll need some more solid play from guard Markquis Nowell, who is coming off 27 points and nine assists in Sunday’s win over Kentucky. Nowell is averaging 17.1 points and 7.8 assists per game this season, ranking second in the nation in the latter category.
Keyontae Johnson has averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds on 51.4% shooting from the floor this season, helping the Wildcats to become one of the top March Madness picks out of the Big 12.
The Wildcats are also healthy heading into this one, so this should be one of the better NCAA basketball games today.
Michigan State vs. Kansas State Betting Preview
When you have a coach who has made 25 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, you get a little edge in the March Madness betting odds. That’s how to best explain how the seventh-seeded Spartans are favored for this one, giving two points on a point-spread bet.
No matter which Michigan State vs Kansas State prediction you’re making on a point-spread bet, you’ll get -110 odds.
If you want to make a moneyline wager part of your March Madness picks on today’s NCAAB schedule, you can get Michigan State at -135 or Kansas State at +115. The over/under for this game has been set at 137½ points, and you’ll get -110 odds on either side of that wager.
Michigan State vs. Kansas State Betting Prediction
As you make your Michigan State vs Kansas State prediction, the weight of this game and the venue has to be taken into account. Playing in the Sweet 16 for a chance to advance can be some heady stuff, and having experience certainly helps. And the fact this game is being played at the fabled Madison Square Garden will play into that.
The Spartans have the experience edge in coaching with Izzo compared to first-year Kansas State coach Jerome Tang. And Michigan State played in MSG earlier in the season, so it shouldn’t have as much awe for the venue. Those are just two of the factors in why you should take the favored Spartans to win and cover when you make your NCAAB picks.
Betting on this event:
- Pick 1: Bet on Spartans to deliver at -135. As for the correct score.
- Pick 2: Go with Michigan State Spartans 72 – 65 Kansas State Wildcats.
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