Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans Predictions, Picks, Odds

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The Michigan Wolverines (10-7, 4-3 Big Ten) travel to meet the Michigan State Spartans (15-4, 6-2) for a Big Ten conference clash at Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich. on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on CBS.

SCORE PREDICTION

Michigan State 74, Michigan 68

BEST BETS

Michigan State -4 (-110) at Treasure Island

Over 139 (-110) at WynnBet

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES VS. MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS PREDICTIONS

The Wolverines scratched out a 72-70 victory over Northwestern last time out on Wednesday, but didn't come close to covering the eight-point number. Still, that's three consecutive victories after slipping to .500 on Jan. 14 with a loss at Illinois. Suddenly, the NCAA Tournament is looking like a possibility again, and a victory at Michigan State would really give the Wolverines a much-needed signature win.

Michigan shot an impressive 56% from the field (23-of-41), while connecting on 67% (8-of-12) attempts from behind the arc. Michigan ended up with zero blocked shots, and just 24 rebounds, but the hot shooting masked those deficiencies.

Sparty came up just short in a grinder at Illinois on Tuesday, losing 56-55. Michigan State was unable to take advantage of the absence of Player of the Year candidate Kofi Cockburn, ending up with a season-low in points. State shot just 35% from the field (19-of-55), including a dismal 21% (3-of-14) from downtown. The good news is that they turned it over just 10 times while pulling down 38 rebounds with six blocked shots in a solid defensive effort.

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES VS. MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS BETTING ODDS

Michigan +4 (-110)
Michigan State -4 (-110)
Over 139 (-110)
Under 139 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES VS. MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS BETTING RESOURCES

Matchup: Big 10
Date: Saturday, January 29, 2022
Venue: Breslin Center
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
TV-Time: CBS - 12:30 p.m. ET

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING ANALYSIS

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

SU: 10-7
ATS: 7-10
O/U: 10-7

It's hard to believe, with all of the preseason hype surrounding this season, but the current three-game win streak is the longest of the season. This will easily be the biggest test to the meager run, as Michigan faces its first ranked opponent since Jan. 14 at Illinois, which is also its last loss.

Michigan still enters 2-4 ATS across the past six games, so it is still a work in progress. The OVER has cashed in each of the past three games, and five of the previous six outings, as the offense is averaging 78.3 PPG, which is well above the team's season average of 72.6 PPG. The OVER is also 4-1 in the past five for Michigan, while going 10-4 in the past 14 against teams with a winning overall record.

The good news for Wolverines backers is that they don't go on extended non-cover runs very often. Michigan is 25-10-1 ATS in the past 36 following an ATS loss, although it is 2-6 ATS in the past eight following a straight-up win.

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

SU: 15-4
ATS: 11-7-1
O/U: 9-9-1

While Michigan State lost last time out at Illinois, it has covered consecutive games for the first time since a 3-0 ATS run from Dec. 8-21 against Minnesota, Penn State and Oakland. Michigan State enters just 1-2 SU across the past three outings, losing the the Illini and home to Northwestern on Jan. 15. Those two losses have come by a combined total of three points.

Sparty enters this one with an 0-4 ATS skid at home, and 2-11 ATS mark in the past 13 at home against teams with a losing road record. The good news for Michigan State backers is that the home team has cashed in each of the past six meetings in this series.

In terms of the total, the OVER is 10-4 in the past 14 games for Michigan State against teams with an overall winning record. While the UNDER cashed in each of the two meetings last season, games played in front of sparse crowds due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. In fact, there were just 209 fans in attendance last season in East Lansing on March 7, 2021, and 133 total fans in Ann Arbor for the previous meeting March 5, 2021. In the previous eight games, played in front of fans, the OVER is 7-1 in the past eight meetings.

**Michigan State is 6-2 ATS in the past eight vs. teams with a winning overall record. (AP)**

INSIDE THE STATS - MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Record: 10-7
VI Ranking: 57
PS/G: 72.6 (166th)
PA/G: 66.6 (120th)
ORtg: 107.7 (77th)
DRtg: 98.9 (191st)

INSIDE THE STATS - MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

Record: 15-4
VI Ranking: 9
PS/G: 74.3 (117th)
PA/G: 65.6 (88th)
ORtg: 106.7 (102nd)
DRtg: 94.3 (76th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

MICH: Eli Brooks - G (11.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.2 SPG)
MICH: Hunter Dickinson - C (16.5 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.3 SPG, 60.6 FG%)
MSU: Gabe Brown - F (13.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.0 APG, 36.9 3P%)
MSU: Max Christie - G (10.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 39.7 FG%)

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES VS. MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS BETTING CONCLUSION

Michigan enters this one on a season-high three-game win streak, but the excitement should still be a little bit muted since the victories have each come against unranked foes. We can start ratcheting up the praise if the Wolverines are able to pull off the road upset, and it's possible against a Spartans side which is suddenly struggling.

While Sparty is a wounded animal, it is still very dangerous, especially playing on its home floor. I'd like Michigan a whole lot more if this game were in Ann Arbor rather than East Lansing. Michigan State lost by a razor-thin margin against a good Illinois team on its home floor last time out, and failed against Northwestern in its most recent game at home. Head coach Tom Izzo will make the proper adjustments to get this train back on the track in another close game.

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES VS. MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS BETTING TRENDS

Michigan is 25-10-1 ATS in the past 35 following a non-cover.
Michigan is 2-6 ATS in the past eight following a SU win.
Michigan State is 0-4 ATS in the past four home games.
Michigan State is 2-11 ATS in the past 13 home games vs. teams with losing road record.
Michigan State is 6-2 ATS in the past eight vs. winning teams.
The OVER is 5-1 in the past six games overall for Michigan.
The OVER is 4-1 in the past five road games for Michigan.
The OVER is 10-4 in the past 14 vs. winning teams for Michigan.
The OVER is 10-4 in the past 14 vs. winning teams for Michigan State.
The home team is 6-0 ATS in the past six meetings.
The OVER is 7-3 in the past 10 meetings.

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson