Michigan State at Oakland College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/16/2017

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Little Caesars Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Michigan State Spartans travel to Little Caesars Arena to play the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Saturday, December 16, 2017. The opening line for this game has Michigan State as 19 point favorites.

Michigan State comes into this game with an overall record of 9-1. They currently have a point differential of 18.9 as they are averaging 80.2 points per game while giving up 61.3 per contest. Oakland has an overall mark of 6-4. They are averaging 79.4 points per contest and giving up 79.3, which is a point differential of 0.1.

Valuable Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 6-4 against the spread this season

The Michigan State Spartans are 4-5 against the over/under this year

Important Oakland Golden Grizzlies Betting Trends

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies are 2-5 against the spread this season

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies are 3-4 against the over/under this year

Key Michigan State Spartans Injuries

11/08/17 G Kyle Ahrens Foot is out indefinitely

Key Oakland Golden Grizzlies Injuries

11/07/17 C Brad Brechting Foot is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Nick Ward averages 13.7 points per game in 17.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.5 assists per contest and 6.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 64% for the year while his free throw percentage is 64%. Miles Bridges averages 15.6 points per game while playing 28.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is at 90%.

Player Spotlight

Martez Walker averages 21.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.5 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 78%. Kendrick Nunn averages 21.7 points per game while playing 34.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.6 rebounds per game and has 4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Spartans allow 61.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 13th in the nation. They also allow a 33% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 242nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.9 rebounds a game which ranks 60th, and they give up 11.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 63rd place in the country. They force 11.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in college basketball. Michigan State averages 80.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 86th in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is 18.9 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 51st. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 75th in D-1. They average 43.7 rebounds per game and 18.8 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 122nd with 14.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Golden Grizzlies surrender 79.3 points per contest, which ranks them 303rd in the country. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 272nd and 113th in those defensive statistics. They rank 223rd with 13.9 assists allowed per contest, and 299th with 38.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Golden Grizzlies are 56th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 12.1 per game this season. Oakland is 103rd in Division 1 with 79.4 points per game this year. They are 228th in the country in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 0.1. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 168th in the nation. They are 84th in college basketball in rebounding with 38.5 boards per game and 35th in assists per contest with 17.2. The Golden Grizzlies are 123rd in turnovers per game with 14.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Spartans are 50th in the nation in offensive rating with 114.1, and their defensive rating of 87.2 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 219th in the country with 70.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 63rd. As a team they are 54th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 253rd in Division 1. Michigan State is 132nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 39%, which is 1st in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Oakland is 178th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 189th in Division 1. The Golden Grizzlies are 247th in the nation in defensive rating with 103.9, and their offensive rating of 104.1 is ranked 193rd. They are 33rd in D-1 in pace with 75.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 211th. As a unit they are 189th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 128th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Michigan State/Oakland college basketball game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Oakland +19

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