Tom Izzo is a fan of testing his team early and often, a trend that will continue when the Michigan State Spartans host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Thursday. This will be the third time Michigan State faces a top 10-ranked opponent this season despite this outing being just their seventh game. The first contest came in a losing effort vs Duke and the second saw the Spartans dominate UNC defensively en route to a win.
- Notre Dame G Matt Farrell has scored double-digit points in 20 of his past 21 games dating back to last season.
- Michigan State is 12-1 SU and 11-2 ATS in its last 13 games as favorite.
- Notre Dame is 12-5 ATS in its last 17 games as an underdog of 6.0 or more.
Though it’s early in the year, we seem to have a good grasp on Michigan State. The team will play suffocating defense and clean up the boards like few others in the nation but has shown many mental mistakes on offense. The Spartans’ most recent game vs the Tar Heels was the perfect example, as Michigan State held UNC to just 45 points and a pathetic 24.6 shooting percentage but also had 24 turnovers.
Though not as tested as their opponents, Notre Dame is coming off a stiff outing vs Wichita State. The Irish ultimately picked up the 67-66 victory thanks to some clutch play late by Maui Invitational MVP Matt Farrell. The real X factor will be Bonzie Colson who, despite his relatively small stature, has been a rebounding machine, but getting boards against Michigan State is not easy considering their size and skill. If Colson can get some opportune rebounds, then Notre Dame will be in good shape.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
College basketball betting oddsmakers at Sportsbook opened the Michigan State Spartans as 5.5-point favorites in this matchup. Check for the latest spread and OVER/UNDER total line at sportsbooks such as Sportsbook.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Michigan State Spartans Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Michigan State Spartans battle the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, currently sitting with a 6-0 mark (3-1 ATS). The OVER/UNDER records, always important for totals betting, are 3-3 for the Spartans and 0-4 for the Fighting Irish.
The OddsShark Power Rankings have the Spartans at No. 16 and the Fighting Irish at No. 41 heading into this college basketball betting matchup.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up Michigan State's No. 72 nationally ranked offense (80.83 points per game) against a Notre Dame Fighting Irish defense that sits as the No. 17 at 60.17 PPG. The Spartans have been averaging 50.42% from the field, less than the Fighting Irish have managed so far this season (52.79% on average).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Wichita State was victimized for 25 points and 11 rebounds by Bonzie Colson as the Fighting Irish bested the Shockers 67-66 in college basketball action on Wednesday.
Joshua Langford scored 23 points leading the Spartans to a 63-45 victory over North Carolina at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter on Sunday.
- Notre Dame is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- Notre Dame is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
- Notre Dame is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- Michigan State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- Michigan State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- Michigan State is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games at home
- Michigan State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Notre Dame home to St. Francis-Brooklyn, Sunday, December 3
Michigan State at Nebraska, Sunday, December 3
