Michigan State at Northwestern odds, picks and predictions
The Michigan State Spartans (9-5, 1-2 Big Ten) head to Welsh-Ryan Arena for a clash with the Northwestern Wildcats (10-3, 1-1) Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook lines around the Michigan State vs. Northwestern odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Since losing the 1st 2 games in conference play in December, the Spartans have rattled off 5 straight victories, including a 92-61 win Thursday against Penn State. They easily covered the spread as a 13.5-point favorite and the Over 146.5 hit. Senior F Malik Hall and senior G Tyson Walker combined for 46 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 9 steals in the victory as MSU shot 48% on 3-pointers (10 of 21).
Northwestern had a 3-game win streak snapped on Tuesday night, 96-66 by the No. 8 Illinois Fighting Illini. The Wildcats failed to cover the 5.5-point spread as underdogs while the Over 140.5 hit. Senior G Boo Buie scored 20 points and senior G Ty Berry added 14. Northwestern was outrebounded 35-24 in the loss.
Northwestern has taken 3 of the last 4 meetings with Michigan State, including the last one on Dec 4, 2022. The Wildcats won 70-63 as a 6-point underdog and that game went Over the 127.5 total.
- Rankings courtesy of the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Michigan State vs. Northwestern odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:23 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Michigan State -154 (bet $154 to win $100) | Northwestern +128 (bet $100 to win $128)
- Against the spread (ATS): Michigan State -3.5 (-102) | Northwestern +3.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Michigan State vs. Northwestern picks and predictions
Prediction
Michigan State 73, Northwestern 67
Moneyline
AVOID.
This will be a hard-fought inter-conference battle. I have the Spartans winning the game, but I'm not going to bet them at -154. I'll save my money for the spread and total for this matchup.
Against the spread
BET MICHIGAN STATE -3.5 (-102).
These teams have each covered 5 games in their last 10 meetings. The Spartans have covered the spread in 5 straight games while the Wildcats are 1-3-1 over the same stretch.
Both teams are very good on the offensive and defensive sides of the floor, but Michigan State has more fire power offensively. This game will be tight until the Spartans pull away late.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
BET OVER 134.5 (-115).
You have to feel confident in the fact that Michigan State has gone Over the total in 6 straight games. All 6 of those games had totals higher than this game. Northwestern does pride itself on the defensive end of the floor but they've been Over in 5 of their last 8 games.
These 2 have gone Over the total in 4 of their last 7 head-to-head games.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @DrewPhelps05 on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from Paste BN Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin /
College Sports Wire: Men's hoops / Women's hoops / High School