Sunday, March 19, 2017

Bank of Oklahoma Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The 9 seed Michigan State Spartans travel to Bank of Oklahoma Center to play the 1 seed Kansas Jayhawks on Sunday, March 19, 2017 in the NCAA Tournament. The opening line for this game has Kansas as 8.5 point favorites.

The Spartans finished the regular season with an overall record of 18-13. They are 17-15 against the spread and their over/under record is 15-14. The Jayhawks ended the regular season with a record of 28-3. They have an over/under record of 13-16 and they are 12-17 against the spread.

Miles Bridges comes into this contest averaging 16.7 points per game while playing 31.9 minutes per night so far this season for the Spartans. He pulls down 8.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 69%. Nick Ward averages 13.9 points per game in 19.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.4 assists per contest and 6.6 rebounds per game for Michigan State. His field goal percentage is 59% for the year while his free throw percentage is 61%.

Frank Mason averages 20.8 points per game while playing 36.1 minutes per contest this year for the Jayhawks. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per game and has 5.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 78%. Josh Jackson averages 16.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.2 rebounds per contest and 3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is 56%.

Michigan State averages 71.7 points per contest this season which ranks them 213th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 3.4 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them ranked 58th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 63rd in the country. They average 36.7 rebounds per game and 17.0 assists per game which ranks them 123rd and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 75th with 14.2 per game. The Spartans allow 68.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 81st in the nation. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 30th and 172nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.1 rebounds a game which ranks 67th and they give up 12.9 assists per contest which puts them in 149th place in the country. They force 11.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 27th in Division 1.

Kansas averages 82.7 points per game this year which ranks them 16th in Division 1 college basketball. Their average scoring margin is 10.3 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team which has them sitting in the 14th spot in the country. Behind the arc they shoot 41% which is good for 7th in the nation. They average 38.9 rebounds per game and 16.3 assists per contest which ranks them 34th and 26th respectively. In the turnover department the Jayhawks rank 176th with 13.1 per game. The Jayhawks allow 72.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 185th in the country. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 81st and 228th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 34.8 rebounds a game which ranks 153rd and they give up 12.9 assists per contest which puts them in 145th place in the nation. The Jayhawks force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 203rd in college basketball.

The Spartans are 165th in the nation in offensive rating at 104.8. They assist on 65.9% of their shots, which ranks 2nd in the country. In terms of pace they average 68.2 possessions per 40 minutes, which places them 253rd among D-1 teams. They are 51st in effective field goal percentage with 54%. As a team they are 85th in the country in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3 pointers on 38% of their shots. Michigan State turns the ball over an average of 18.1 times per 100 possessions and they get a steal on 6.5% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage of 52.6% places them 68th in Division 1 while their offensive rebound percentage is 29.4%.

The Jayhawks are 16th in the nation in offensive rating at 114.4. They assist on 55.1% of their shots, which ranks 117th in the country. In terms of pace they average 71.5 possessions per 40 minutes, which places them 84th among D-1 teams. They are 17th in effective field goal percentage with 56%. As a team they are 35th in the country in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3 pointers on 36% of their shots. Kansas turns the ball over an average of 15.5 times per 100 possessions and they get a steal on 9.6% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage of 52.8% places them 59th in Division 1 while their offensive rebound percentage is 34.3%.

Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 17-15 against the spread

The Michigan State Spartans are 15-14 against the over/under

Kansas Jayhawks Betting Trends

The Kansas Jayhawks are 12-17 against the spread

The Kansas Jayhawks are 13-16 against the over/under

Michigan State Spartans Injuries

11/11/16 F Ben Carter Knee out for season
11/11/16 F Gavin Schilling Knee out for season
02/18/17 G Eron Harris Knee out for season

Kansas Jayhawks Injuries

12/21/16 C Udoka Azubuike Wrist out for season
03/15/17 G Devonte' Graham Ankle injured last game, probable Friday vs. UC Davis
03/15/17 G Josh Jackson Suspension Served missed last game, probable Friday vs. UC Davis
01/03/17 C Evan Maxwell Personal has left team

Tony's Pick: Take Kansas -8.5

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