MSU Basketball dominates in paint to pick up blowout win over Niagara

Michigan State basketball improves to 2-0 with another blowout victory on Thursday night

Michigan State overcame poor starts in both halves to earn a blowout victory over Niagara on Thursday night from the Breslin Center. The final score was 96-60.

The Spartans dominated in the paint against Niagara, finishing the game with a 52-20 advantage to improve to 2-0 on the year. Michigan State picked up a season-opening win over Monmouth earlier this week as well.

The Spartans fell into a hole early on thanks to sharp shooting from Niagara. The Purple Eagles jumped out to an 11-2 early lead, but Michigan State would respond with a 24-5 run to take the lead.

Michigan State would lead by as many as 13 points in the opening frame, but a mini 5-0 run by Niagara in the final minute cut Michigan State’s advantage to single digits at the break. Michigan State led 46-39 at halftime.

Niagara would continue their hot finish to the first half with a strong start in the second half, cutting the Spartans’ lead to only three points. However, from there, Michigan State ripped off a 26-7 run to take firm control of the game.

Michigan State had five different players reach double-digits in points in the victory over the Purple Eagles. Jaxon Kohler led the way offensively with a career-high 20 points, and 13 rebounds for his second career double-double. Jase Richardson (12 points), Frankie Fidler (11 points), Tre Holloman (11 points) and Jaden Akins (10 points) also hit double-digits in scoring. Jeremy Fears Jr. again did a great job orchestrating the offense with eight assists.

Michigan State will return to the court next week in a national spotlight opportunity against Kansas in the Champions Classic. Tipoff between the Spartans and Jayhawks is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday from Atlanta.

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Michigan State Basketball starting five vs. Niagara

Here is the starting five for the Spartans in tonight’s matchup against Niagara

Michigan State basketball will roll with a familiar group to start in Thursday night’s home non-conference matchup against Niagara.

Here are the starters for the Spartans:

  • G Jeremy Fears Jr.
  • G Jaden Akins
  • F Frankie Fidler
  • F Xavier Booker
  • C Szymon Zapala

This is the same starting five that Michigan State went with in Monday night’s season-opening win over Monmouth. Akins tied a career-high in scoring with 23 points in the win.

Tipoff from the Breslin Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. The game will televised on the Big Ten Network.

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MSU-Niagara Prediction, Matchup Analysis from LSJ’s Graham Couch

Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal provides his prediction for MSU Basketball vs. Niagara on Thursday

Michigan State basketball hits the hardwood again on Thursday night for another home non-conference game this week.

The Spartans will host Niagara on Thursday night from the Breslin Center. Michigan State comes into this matchup off a convincing season-opening win over Monmouth on Monday. Niagara also opened the season with a convincing win over Division III foe Houghton on Monday.

This will be the Spartans’ final game before taking on No. 1 Kansas next week in the Champions Classic.

Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday and the game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal is back again to offer his thoughts on this matchup between Michigan State and Niagara. Click here to see how Couch believes this game will play out and who he has winning in the end.

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Prediction and betting odds for MSU Basketball vs. Niagara on Thursday

Analyzing Thursday’s Michigan State-Niagara game with odds and lines, predictions and best bets

Michigan State basketball will look to improve to 2-0 on the year in another home non-conference matchup on Thursday night.

The Spartans will host Niagara on Thursday evening from the Breslin Center. This will be the second game of opening week for the Spartans, who topped Monmouth in Monday night’s season-opener.

Niagara opened the season earlier this week, as well, picking up a blowout victory over Division III foe Houghton. The Purple Eagles were picked to finish No. 8 out of 13 teams in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason poll.

Check out the game odds, prediction and viewing options below.

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Michigan State vs. Niagara game odds:

All College Basketball Odds via BetMGM:

  • Point spread: Michigan State -27.5
  • Money line: Michigan State -30000 / Niagara +4000
  • Over-under: 140.5

Michigan State vs. Niagara prediction, pick

This feels like a very similar situation as we saw in the Spartans’ season-opener earlier this week. So I’m expecting a similar result. I anticipate Michigan State using another stifling defensive effort to pick up this victory with relative ease.

Prediction: Michigan State 82, Monmouth 58

Michigan State vs. Niagara channel, start time, streaming:

The Michigan State vs. Niagara game starts at 8 p.m. ET and can be seen on the Big Ten Network.

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Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.

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Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.