The 7-seeded Michigan State Spartans (21-12) battle the 3rd-seeded Kansas State Wildcats (25-9) Thursday in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Tip from Madison Square Garden is at 6:30 p.m. ET (TBS). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Michigan State vs. Kansas State odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Spartans upset No. 2 seed Marquette 69-60 on Sunday to cover as 3-point underdogs and advance to the Sweet 16. Prior to that, they beat 10th-seeded USC 72-62 as 2.5-point favorites. Michigan State is 6-4 against the spread (ATS) in its last 10 games and 7-3 straight up. MSU is 17-16 ATS for the season.
Kansas State took down 6th-seeded Kentucky 75-69 to cover as a 3-point underdog on Sunday after beating 14th-seeded Montana State 77-65 a 7-point favorite in the opening round. The Wildcats are 6-4 straight up and ATS in their last 10 games and are 22-12 ATS on the season.
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Michigan State vs. Kansas State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:27 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Michigan State -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Kansas State +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread (ATS): Michigan State -1.5 (-112) | Kansas State +1.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Michigan State vs. Kansas State picks and predictions
Prediction
Kansas State 71, Michigan State 63
Moneyline
BET KANSAS STATE +105.
Kansas State has a high-powered offense backed by F Keyontae Johnson who scored 18 points in the 1st round and 13 points in 2nd. While KSU dropped its last game of the season on the road to West Virginia and its quarterfinal Big 12 matchup against TCU, the Wildcats are 6-2 in its last 8 games.
Their defense also stands out, ranking 17th in the country in defensive efficiency according to the KenPom rankings (the Spartans rank 31st). While the Spartans are top 10 in 3-point shooting, the Wildcats rank in the top-15 defensively for opponent 3-point percentage. Expect the Wildcats to create issues for the Spartans’ offense thus enabling them to advance to the Elite 8.
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Against the spread
PASS.
The moneyline odds are a more profitable play on Kansas State in this game.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 137.5 (-111).
With both teams’ strengths being defense, points will be more difficult to come by in this matchup. Expect long possessions from both sides which will aid the Under.
The Under is 4-0 in Michigan State’s last 4 neutral site games including both games thus far in the tournament.
According to BetMGM, through 44 games thus far in the tournament, the Under is 33-11. It is in your best interest to back UNDER 137.5 (-112).
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