Kansas Jayhawks vs. Michigan State Spartans Predictions, Odds, Picks

Nov. 9, 2021
David Schwab
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

As part of college basketball’s opening slate of games in the 2021-22 season, the Big 12’s No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks will square off against the Big Ten’s Michigan State Spartans at 7 p.m. (ET) this Tuesday on ESPN. This matchup at Madison Square Garden in New York City is part of the State Farm Champions Classic.

Score Prediction

Kansas 68, Michigan State 64

Best Bets

Michigan State +4.5

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Michigan State Spartans Predictions

The Jayhawks start the new season as the No. 3 team in the nation according the AP Top 25 and the Coaches Poll preseason rankings. Last season, they ended up as the No. 16 team in the nation behind a final straight-up record of 21-9.

Michigan State failed to land a spot in the Top 25 of either national poll after losing to UCLA in overtime of a play-in game for the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The Spartans also made an early exit in last season’s Big Ten Tournament.

Going over the last eight games of this matchup, the series is tied 4-4 straight-up with Michigan State holding a slight 5-3 edge against the spread. Despite the Jayhawks’ lofty preseason ranking, they are going to have to work for the SU win on Tuesday night in a neutral site setting.

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Michigan State Spartans Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

  • Kansas -200
  • Michigan State +170
  • Kansas -4.5 (-110)
  • Michigan State +4.5 (-110)
  • Over 144 (-110)
  • Under 144 (-110)

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Michigan State Spartans Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Big 12 vs. Big 10
  • Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
  • Venue: Madison Square Garden
  • Location: New York , New York
  • TV-Time: ESPN - 7:00 p.m. ET

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Kansas Jayhawks Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

2020-21 Season Stats

  • SU: 21-9
  • ATS: 14-14-1
  • O/U: 13-14-2

As usual, Kansas remains stacked with talent heading in to the new season. The Jayhawks are +160 favorites to win the Big 12 regular season title with Texas (+225) and Baylor (+400) set as their toughest competition according to the futures odds.

Led by 6-foot-10 forward David McCormack, Kansas has the necessary depth to contend for a national title as one of four teams at +1200 odds behind the Gonzaga Bulldogs as +400 favorites.

Jalen Wilson returns after averaging 11.8 points per game last season. Also back is guardOchai Agbaji as the team’s leading scorer with 14.1 PPG. Freshman Zach Clemence and transfer Cam Martin are two new players to watch along with Arizona State transfer Remy Martin. He was first-team All Pac-12 last season with a 19.1-point scoring average.

Michigan State Spartans Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

2020-21 Season Stats

  • SU: 15-13
  • ATS: 9-19
  • O/U: 11-17

This will be a tough test for the Spartans given the depth of talent in the Jayhawks’ starting five. However, I do believe they will be up to the task. Despite some significant losses from last year’s roster, Michigan State is among the top 20 teams in the nation on the national championship futures board at +4000 odds.

The team’s odds to win the Big Ten regular season title are fifth-best on the betting board at +900. Rival Michigan tops that list at +275 followed by Purdue (+325) and Ohio State (+425). Forwards’ Joey Hauser and Gabe Brown highlight the list of returning players. You can also add forward Marcus Bingham to that list as a probable starter. Adding some veteran bench depth,AJ Hoggard and Malik Hall are also back from last year.

All eyes will be on guard Max Christie as Michigan State’s top recruit. Tyson Walker joins the team as a transfer from Northeastern.

As long as Tom Izzo is the head coach, Michigan State remains a team to watch on a national level. Motivated by last season’s shaky finish and early exit from postseason tournaments, the Spartans know they can make some early noise with a strong showing against Kansas.


The Michigan State Spartans have lost four of their last six games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Kansas Jayhawks

2020-21 Stats - VI Ranking reflect this season

  • Record: 21-9
  • VI Ranking: 4
  • PS/G: 73 (122nd)
  • PA/G: 67 (82nd)
  • Offensive Rating: 104.3 (126th)
  • Defensive Rating: 95.7 (65th)

Inside the Stats - Michigan State Spartans

2020-21 Stats - VI Ranking reflect this season

  • Record: 15-13
  • VI Ranking: 30
  • PS/G: 69.4 (230th)
  • PA/G: 71.1 (202nd)
  • Offensive Rating: 100.3 (211th)
  • Defensive Rating: 102.7 (241st)

Key Players to Watch

  • KU: Ochai Agbaji
  • KU: Christian Braun
  • MSU: Marcus Bingham, Jr.
  • MSU: Joey Hauser

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Michigan State Spartans Betting Conclusion

I'm willing to go out on a limb with the underdog Spartans plus the 4.5 points for two main reasons. First, this team has something to prove after last year. It may not be deep enough in talent to win this game. Yet, Michigan State has enough good players to keep things close until the final buzzer of the second half.

The second reason I am taking the points in Tuesday’s matchup is all the unknowns with each team. Kansas should make a run at another Big 12 regular season title given this team’s impressive roster. However, it may still take some time to see the Jayhawks’ A-Game. As mentioned, Michigan State is highly motivated coming off a disappointing conclusion to last season’s campaign.

Throw in another unknown like a neutral-site setting at Madison Square Garden and anything could happen in this one. Michigan State has a 7-1 record SU in its last eight games played in the month of November. I do not see the Spartans pulling off the outright upset, but the extra half point could make all the difference in the world in the current spread.

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

  • Kansas has failed to cover the spread in four of its last six games when playing on a neutral court.
  • Kansas has failed to cover the spread in three of is last four games.
  • Kansas has failed to go OVER the point total in four of its last five games.