Michigan State at Iowa Expert NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread 1/24/2019

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Michigan State Spartans travel to Carver-Hawkeye Arena to play the Iowa Hawkeyes on Thursday, January 24, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Michigan State as 5.5 point favorites.

Michigan State heads into this matchup with a mark of 17-2. They currently have a point differential of 17.8 as they are averaging 83.8 points per contest while giving up 66.1 per game. Iowa has an overall record of 16-3. They are averaging 82.8 points per game and surrendering 72.2, good for a point differential of 10.6.

Valuable Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 15-4-0 against the spread

The Michigan State Spartans are 8-11-0 against the over/under

Important Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Trends

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 10-9-0 against the spread

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 9-10-0 against the over/under

Key Michigan State Spartans Injuries

01/23/19 G Kyle Ahrens Back is questionable Thursday vs Iowa
01/07/19 G Joshua Langford Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Iowa Hawkeyes Injuries

12/18/18 F Cordell Pemsl Knee is out for season
11/11/18 G CJ Fredrick Redshirt is out for season
11/11/18 F Jack Nunge Redshirt is out for season

Player Spotlight

Cassius Winston comes into this contest averaging 18.0 points per game while playing 31.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 2.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 59% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 80%. Nick Ward averages 15.7 points per game in 22.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.9 assists per contest and 6.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 63% for the year while his free throw percentage is 66%.

Player Spotlight

Tyler Cook averages 16.5 points per game while playing 30.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 8.2 rebounds per game and has 2.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 59% and his free throw percentage is at 71%. Luka Garza averages 13.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 23.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.9 rebounds per contest and 0.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Michigan State averages 83.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 20th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 17.8 and their shooting percentage is 50% as a team, which has them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 28th in the nation. They average 43.5 rebounds per game and 20.7 assists per game, which ranks them 3rd and 1st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 202nd with 13.1 per game. The Spartans allow 66.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 51st in the country. They also allow a 37% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 3rd and 38th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 32.4 rebounds a game which ranks 63rd and they give up 12.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 96th place in Division 1. They force 10.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Iowa is 26th in the country with 82.8 points per game this year. They are 45th in Division 1 in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 10.6. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 53rd in the nation. They are 124th in the NCAA in rebounding with 36.6 boards per game, and 24th in assists per contest with 16.8. The Hawkeyes are 246th in turnovers per game with 12.6. The Hawkeyes surrender 72.2 points per contest, which ranks them 202nd in D-1. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 167th and 48th in those defensive statistics. They rank 319th with 15.4 assists allowed per contest and 87th with 33.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hawkeyes are 156th in country in forcing turnovers with 13.4 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Spartans have an offensive rating of 117.6, which is ranked 6th. They are 144th in college basketball in pace with 70.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 57% is 10th. As a unit they are 12th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 204th in D-1. Michigan State is 229th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Iowa is 263rd in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.4 times per 100 possessions. The Hawkeyes are 15th in the country in offensive rating with 115.5. In terms of pace they are 105th in Division 1 with 71.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 32nd. As a team they are 9th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 114th in the nation.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Iowa +5.5

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