The Michigan State Spartans are 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS over their last 10 games. After seeing last season finish on a down note in the Final Four, the No. 1 Spartans enter the 2019-20 season with a chip on their shoulder as they face the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats.
- Michigan State Spartans vs Kentucky Wildcats (Matchup Report)
- Date/Time: November 5, 9:30 p.m. ET
- TV Coverage: ESPN
- Sportsbook Odds: Michigan State -2 | O/U 140 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Early betting on this game has come in on Michigan State and the UNDER. The Spartans are now up to a 3-point favorite and the total has been bumped down a point and a half from 140 to 138.5.
Michigan State News & Notes
Senior guard Cassius Winston should be one of the nation’s top stars this season, coming off an impressive campaign last year in which he averaged 18.8 points and 7.5 assists per game. Forward Xavier Tillman also returns after averaging 10 points and 7.3 rebounds in just 24.1 minutes of playing time per game; his increased floor time should come with an increase in production as well.
Michigan State enters this season with unfinished business. Despite an impressive 32-7 SU and 27-12 ATS record last year that included an upset win over the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight, the returning players on this team will be more focused on the disappointing 61-51 loss to Texas Tech as 2-point favorites in the Final Four.
Kentucky News & Notes
Kentucky enters this season with three potential NBA first-rounders next year in sophomore point guard Ashton Hagans, freshman forward Kahlil Whitney and combo guard Tyrese Maxey. Maxey is the one to watch on Tuesday night; depending on how this season shakes out, he has the talent to play his way into the top five in next year’s draft.
The Wildcats finished last season with a respectable record of 30-7 SU and 20-17 ATS. But like Michigan State, Kentucky has plenty to prove after losing to the Tennessee Volunteers in the SEC championship game and then to the Auburn Tigers in the Elite Eight last season. Kentucky is 6-0 SU in its last six games played in the month of November.
Betting Pick: Michigan State -2
In what should be a great matchup between the No. 1- and No. 2-ranked teams in the nation, Michigan State’s experience should give the Spartans the edge in this one.
- Michigan State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games vs an SEC opponent.
- Kentucky is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games played on a Tuesday.
- The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Kentucky’s last 17 games.
