The No. 10-seed Davidson Wildcats (27-6) and No. 7-seed Michigan State Spartans (22-12) clash in a West Region first-round tussle in the NCAA Championship Tournament Friday. Tip-off from Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., is slated for 9:40 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Davidson vs. Michigan State odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Davidson made the field despite falling to Richmond 64-62 in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament final. The loss marked just the Wildcats’ fourth since Nov. 19. Davidson plays at a slow tempo but runs a highly efficient offense based around the 3-ball. Only five NCAA-I squads have posted a better mark from the perimeter than DU’s 38.4%.
Michigan State has struggled after going 14-2 to start the season. That 14-2 mark included nine straight wins from Dec. 1-Jan. 12, but the Spartans are just 8-10 since. Like its opponent in this game, MSU is also a strong 3-point-shooting team. The Spartans’ 37.8% mark on triples ranks second in the Big Ten.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Davidson vs. Michigan State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:27 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Davidson -103 (bet $103 to win $100) | Michigan State -117 (bet $117 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Davidson +1.5 (-122) | Michigan State -1.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 140.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Davidson vs. Michigan State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Davidson 68, Michigan State 66
Money line
Slow-down Davidson should be able to stay even with a Spartan five that sometimes struggles in half-court defense. The Wildcats have been at their best at the tail end of the season, and their shot here is legitimate.
BACK DAVIDSON (-103).
Against the spread
PASS.
Over/Under
The Under is 4-1 in Davidson’s last five NCAA Tournament games as an underdog, and it is 4-1 in MSU’s last five NCAA Tournament games.
The Spartans’ 3-point game has trailed off. The defensive rebounding in this one figures to be solid, and it isn’t likely the game turns into a lot of quick turnover/transition buckets.
TAKE THE UNDER 140.5 (-110).
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