Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Madison Square Garden

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Michigan State Spartans travel to Madison Square Garden to play the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. The opening line for this game has Kentucky as 5 point favorites.

The Spartans had an overall record of 26-5 and a road record of 7-3 last year. They were 22-12 against the spread last year and their over/under record was 16-14. The Wildcats had an overall record of 23-8 and a home record of 17-0 last season. They had an over/under record of 17-14 and they were 19-18 against the spread last season.

Denzel Valentine averaged 19.2 points per game last season while playing 33 minutes per night for the Spartans. He pulled down 7.5 rebounds per game and dished out 7.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 46% while his free throw percentage sat at 85%. Bryn Forbes averaged 14.4 points per game in 28.1 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 1.5 assists per contest and 2.1 rebounds per game for Michigan State. His field goal percentage was 48% for the year while his free throw percentage was 84%.

Jamal Murray averaged 20 points per game while playing 35.2 minutes per contest last year for the Wildcats. He grabbed 5.2 rebounds per game and had 2.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 45% and his free throw percentage was 78%. Tyler Ulis averaged 17.3 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 36.8 minutes per contest. He also averaged 3 rebounds per contest and 7 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 43% and his free throw percentage was 86%.

Michigan State averaged 79.8 points per contest last season which ranked them 23rd in the nation. Their average scoring margin was 15.7 and their shooting percentage was 49% as a team which had them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shot 43% which was good for 1st in the country. They averaged 41.5 rebounds per game and 20.5 assists per game which ranked them 5th and 1st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 97th with 11.8 per game. The Spartans allowed 64.1 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 18th in the nation. They also allowed a 38% shooting percentage and a 31% average from behind the arc ranking them 2nd and 19th in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 30.1 rebounds a game which ranked 7th and they gave up 10.8 assists per contest which put them in 22nd place in the country. They forced 9.5 turnovers per game which ranked them 347th in Division 1.

Kentucky averaged 79.5 points per game last year which ranked them 26th in Division 1 college basketball. Their average scoring margin was 11.4 and their shooting percentage was 48% as a team which had them sitting in the 22nd spot in the country. Behind the arc they shot 37% which was good for 76th in the nation. They averaged 38.8 rebounds per game and 14.2 assists per contest which ranked them 50th and 100th respectively. In the turnover department the Wildcats ranked 49th with 11.2 per game. The Wildcats allowed 68.1 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 71st in the country. They also allowed a 40% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc ranking them 17th and 67th in those defensive statistics. Opponents averaged 33.6 rebounds a game which ranked 73rd and they gave up 9.3 assists per contest which put them in 2nd place in the nation. The Wildcats forced 12.1 turnovers per game which ranked them 210th in college basketball.

The Spartans averaged 80.6 points per game on the road last season and they scored 70.3 ppg in their past 3 contests. They had an average scoring differential of 12 on the road and in their past 3 games their difference was -0.7 per contest. The Spartans had an offensive rating of 118.4 and they assisted on 71.3% of their shots last year. In terms of pace they averaged 66.9 possessions per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage was 56%. As a team they had a true shooting percentage of 59% and they shot 3 pointers on 36% of their shots. Michigan State turned the ball over an average of 15 times per 100 possessions and they got a steal on 6.6% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage was 58% while their offensive rebound percentage was 37%. The Spartans gave up 68.6 points per game on the road last season and they surrendered 71 points per contest in their last 3 games.

The Wildcats scored 80.9 ppg at home and they averaged 78 points per contest in their last 3 games.They had an average scoring differential of 9 in their past 3 contests and at home last season they had a difference of 18.4 points per game. The Wildcats had a rating on offense of 115.2 and 49.8% of their shots were assisted last season. They possessed the ball 68.3 times per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage for the year was 54%. As an offensive unit they had a true shooting percentage of 56% and they attempted 3 pointers on 31% of their shots. Kentucky turned it over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions and they stole the ball on 8.3% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage was 53.6% while their offensive rebound percentage for the season was 37.2%. The Wildcats gave up 62.5 points per contest at home last year and they gave up 69 points per game in their past 3 contests.

Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans were 22-12 against the spread last season

The Michigan State Spartans were 16-14 against the over/under last year

Kentucky Wildcats Betting Trends

The Kentucky Wildcats were 19-18 against the spread last season

The Kentucky Wildcats were 17-14 against the over/under last year

Michigan State Spartans Injuries

11/11/16 F Ben Carter Knee out for season
11/11/16 F Gavin Schilling Knee out for season

Kentucky Wildcats Injuries

No key injuries to report

Tony's Pick: Take Kentucky -5

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