Friday, December 30, 2016

Breslin Student Events Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Northwestern Wildcats travel to Breslin Student Events Center to play the Michigan State Spartans on Friday, December 30, 2016. The opening line for this game has Michigan State as 2 point favorites.

The Wildcats come into this game with an overall record of 12-2 and a road record of 1-1. They are 8-2 against the spread and their over/under record is 5-6. The Spartans have an overall record of 9-5 and a home record of 6-1. They have an over/under record of 6-6 and they are 6-7 against the spread.

Scottie Lindsey comes into this contest averaging 16 points per game while playing 30.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Wildcats. He pulls down 4.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is currently at 89%. Vic Law averages 13.6 points per game in 30 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.2 assists per contest and 5.6 rebounds per game for Northwestern. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 65%.

Eron Harris averages 12.8 points per game while playing 24.8 minutes per contest this year for the Spartans. He grabs 3.7 rebounds per game and has 1.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 72%. Nick Ward averages 13.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 18.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.6 rebounds per contest and 0.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 61% and his free throw percentage is 52%.

Northwestern averages 77.6 points per contest this season which ranks them 70th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 13.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 132nd. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 73rd in the country. They average 39.1 rebounds per game and 18.2 assists per game which ranks them 63rd and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 23rd with 11 per game. The Wildcats allow 64.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 40th in the nation. They also allow a 38% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc ranking them 24th and 79th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.5 rebounds a game which ranks 159th and they give up 10.9 assists per contest which puts them in 36th place in the country. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 234th in Division 1.

Michigan State averages 72.8 points per game this year which ranks them 166th in Division 1 college basketball. Their average scoring margin is 3.9 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them sitting in the 50th spot in the country. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 93rd in the nation. They average 38.2 rebounds per game and 18.7 assists per contest which ranks them 88th and 4th respectively. In the turnover department the Spartans rank 249th with 14.6 per game. The Spartans allow 68.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 98th in the country. They also allow a 39% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 39th and 159th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 34.8 rebounds a game which ranks 128th and they give up 13.3 assists per contest which puts them in 171st place in the nation. The Spartans force 11.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 304th in college basketball.

The Wildcats average 73 points per game on the road this season and they have scored 82 ppg in their past 3 contests. They have an average scoring differential of 5.2 on the road and in their past 3 games their difference is 13.7 per contest. The Wildcats have an offensive rating of 112.4 and they assist on 67.6% of their shots. In terms of pace they average 69 possessions per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 52%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they shoot 3 pointers on 39% of their shots. Northwestern turns the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions and they get a steal on 7.3% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage is 52.4% while their offensive rebound percentage is 33.3%. The Wildcats give up 67.8 points per game on the road this season and they have surrendered 68.3 points per contest in their last 3 games.

The Spartans score 79.4 ppg at home and they have averaged 75 points per contest in their last 3 games.They have an average scoring differential of 1.7 in their past 3 contests and at home this season they have a difference of 12 points per game. The Spartans have a rating on offense of 103.7 and 71.2% of their shots are assisted. They possess the ball 69.6 times per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage for the year is 54%. As an offensive unit they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they attempt 3 pointers on 39% of their shots. Michigan State turns it over an average of 18.4 times per 100 possessions and they steal the ball on 6.4% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage is 52.3% while their offensive rebound percentage for the season is 29.4%. The Spartans give up 67.4 points per contest at home this year and they have given up 73.3 points per game in their past 3 contests.

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 8-2 against the spread

The Northwestern Wildcats are 5-6 against the over/under

Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 6-7 against the spread

The Michigan State Spartans are 6-6 against the over/under

Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

12/14/16 F Aaron Falzon Knee out for season
12/01/16 C Dererk Pardon Hand out indefinitely

Michigan State Spartans Injuries

12/29/16 F Miles Bridges Ankle expected to miss Friday vs. Northwestern
11/11/16 F Ben Carter Knee out for season
11/11/16 F Gavin Schilling Knee out indefinitely

Guy's Pick: Take Michigan State -2

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