Michigan State at Florida College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/8/2018

Saturday, December 8, 2018

O'Connell Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Michigan State Spartans travel to O'Connell Center to play the Florida Gators on Saturday, December 8, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Michigan State as 1 point favorites.

Michigan State heads into this matchup with a mark of 7-2. They currently have a point differential of 18.6 as they are averaging 87.2 points per contest while giving up 68.7 per game. Florida has an overall mark of 5-3. They are averaging 71.0 points per contest and giving up 61.6, which is a point differential of 9.4.

Valuable Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 6-3-0 against the spread

The Michigan State Spartans are 5-4-0 against the over/under

Important Florida Gators Betting Trends

The Florida Gators are 4-4-0 against the spread

The Florida Gators are 2-6-0 against the over/under

Key Michigan State Spartans Injuries

12/04/18 G Brock Washington Arm is questionable
12/04/18 G Matt McQuaid Thigh is questionable

Key Florida Gators Injuries

12/03/18 F Chase Johnson Concussion is questionable Tuesday vs West Virginia
11/27/18 F Isaiah Stokes Knee is out indefinitely
11/06/18 C Gorjok Gak Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Joshua Langford comes into this contest averaging 17.1 points per game while playing 29.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 82%. Cassius Winston averages 16.8 points per game in 31.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.7 assists per contest and 2.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

KeVaughn Allen averages 10.0 points per game while playing 27.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.4 rebounds per game and has 2.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is at 78%. Deaundrae Ballard averages 9.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 17.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.0 rebounds per contest and 0.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Michigan State averages 87.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 17th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 18.6 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 39th. Behind the arc they shoot 41% which is good for 17th in the nation. They average 44.1 rebounds per game and 20.1 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 215th with 13.0 per game. The Spartans allow 68.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 118th in the country. They also allow a 37% shooting percentage and a 31% average from behind the arc, ranking them 10th and 105th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 32.2 rebounds a game which ranks 63rd and they give up 11.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 95th place in Division 1. They force 11.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Florida is 258th in the country with 71.0 points per game this year. They are 184th in Division 1 in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 9.4. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 136th in the nation. They are 232nd in the NCAA in rebounding with 35.4 boards per game, and 170th in assists per contest with 13.9. The Gators are 296th in turnovers per game with 11.8. The Gators surrender 61.6 points per contest, which ranks them 27th in D-1. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 39th and 131st in those defensive statistics. They rank 50th with 10.5 assists allowed per contest and 180th with 35.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Gators are 317th in country in forcing turnovers with 16.9 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Spartans have an offensive rating of 118.4, which is ranked 12th. They are 115th in college basketball in pace with 72.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 56% is 36th. As a unit they are 31st in the nation in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 251st in D-1. Michigan State is 255th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Florida is 246th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions. The Gators are 201st in the country in offensive rating with 103.5. In terms of pace they are 277th in Division 1 with 68.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 159th. As a team they are 191st in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 106th in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Florida +1

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