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The 10th-seeded USC Trojans (22-10) and No. 7 Michigan State Spartans (19-12) are lined up for a Friday matinee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The East Region tilt at Nationwide Arena in Columbus will tip off at 12:15 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the USC vs. Michigan State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
USC heads into the tournament after finishing tied with the 2nd best record in the Pac-12 regular-season (14-6) and then faltering in the 2nd round of the Pac-12 Tournament. The Trojans have had an uneven 2nd half to the season, but they are quite good at defending shots in the paint and from midrange spots inside the arc.
Michigan State was also ousted from its conference tournament opener last week. The Spartans went just 7-8 since winning 7 straight from Dec. 7-Jan. 10, but that stretch has included wins over tournament teams Indiana, Iowa, and Maryland.
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USC vs. Michigan State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 2:18 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: USC +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Michigan State -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): USC +1.5 (-110) | Michigan State -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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USC vs. Michigan State picks and predictions
Prediction
Michigan State 68, USC 66
Moneyline
MSU is the better perimeter team at both ends and likely wins the turnover tussle, but there is no value to leverage here. STEER CLEAR.
Against the spread
Michigan State gets the nod here by a point, maybe 2 or 3. Nothing offering any interest for a point-spread play at the current number. PASS.
Over/Under
The Under is 6-2 across the Trojans’ last 8 games following a straight-up loss.
Look for Michigan State to drag USC into a slower, inside-dominated game. Both of these teams defend well down low and are adept at forcing less-makable mid-range shots. Don’t expect many 3-point shots, offensive put-backs or transition buckets.
There is some slight value on the UNDER 137.5 (-108). Consider making this one a partial-unit play.
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