The 7th-seeded Michigan State Spartans (20-12) and No. 2 Marquette Golden Eagles (29-6) tangle Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The East Region tussle at Nationwide Arena in Columbus is slated to tip off at 5:15 p.m. ET (CBS). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Michigan State vs. Marquette odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Michigan State covered as a 2.5-point favorite in a 72-62 victory over USC Friday to advance. The Spartans are 3-1 and shooting 45.6% from distance over their last 4 games. That’s a big improvement on their already elite 3-point shooting that ranks 4th in the nation at 39.52%.
Marquette is No. 4 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. The Golden Eagles downed Vermont 78-61 Friday comfortably covering as 10-point favorites. Marquette is 10-0 since Feb. 11 including victories over St. John’s, Connecticut and Xavier on the way to claiming the Big East Conference championship.
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Michigan State vs. Marquette odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 11:22 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Michigan State +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Marquette -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Michigan State +2.5 (-108) | Marquette -2.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 141.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Michigan State vs. Marquette picks and predictions
Prediction
Michigan State 74, Marquette 71
Moneyline
Michigan State has played a much tougher schedule and is the better perimeter team on offense and defense. Marquette likes to get a lot of points at the rim and from in close, but MSU defends quite well down low.
Peg this game as being closer to an even exchange. BACK THE SPARTANS (+125).
Against the spread
The Eagles are accustomed to a faster style of play in the Big East. Look for MSU’s slow tempo to affect MU’s rhythm.
We can expect shooting regression to hurt MU’s offense and help MSU’s defense.
Consider a partial-unit play on MICHIGAN STATE +2.5 (-108).
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Over/Under
Michigan State has scored 72 or more points in 6 of its last 7 games. The Spartans are perhaps more dangerous than what common perception is.
PASS for now, but the Over would be worth some partial-unit action if the total dipped to 140.5.
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