Michigan State Spartans vs Michigan Wolverines Prediction, 2/17/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Michigan State Spartans vs Michigan Wolverines

Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024

Location: Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, MI

TV: FOX

The Michigan State Spartans (16-9) are hitting the road to Crisler Center on Saturday where they will play the Michigan Wolverines (8-17).

The Michigan State Spartans stepped onto the hardwood against Penn State and took home the win by a score of 80-72 in their last contest. Michigan State finished with a 50.8% FG percentage (30 of 59) and made 6 of their 15 shots from downtown. From the free throw line, the Spartans knocked down 14 of their 16 shots for a percentage of 87.5%. In terms of pulling down boards, they collected a total of 30 with 8 of them being on the offensive end. They also doled out 15 assists in this matchup as well as forcing the opposition into 13 turnovers and earning 6 steals. Regarding defending, Michigan State allowed 45.3% from the floor on 24 out of 53 shooting. Penn State doled out 12 dimes and had 3 steals in the matchup. Moreover, Penn State totaled 20 boards (5 offensive, 15 defensive), but finished the game with no rejections. Penn State finished shooting 100.0% when shooting free throws by knocking down 12 of their 12 attempts. They also made 12 of their 23 tries from downtown. With respect to fouls, the Spartans finished with 11 while Penn State racked up 10 fouls.

Malik Hall is one player who was a factor for this game. He ended up walking away with 29 points on 10 of 13 shooting. He played 34 minutes played and collected 10 rebounds. He ended up shooting 76.9% from the floor and also distributed 3 assists.

Get all of our NCAA Basketball Expert Picks

Michigan State will enter this matchup with a win-loss record of 16-9 so far this season. They turn it over 9.9 times per contest and as a unit they are committing 16.1 personal fouls on a nightly basis. As a team, Michigan State is collecting 34.7 rebounds per game and has tallied 429 assists this season, which has them ranked 14th in the country in terms of passing the ball. The Spartans are shooting 37.2% on shots from 3-point land (167 of 449) and 69.8% from the free throw line. They are averaging 75.3 points per contest (145th in D-1) while connecting on 47.6% from the floor.

On defense, the Spartans are able to force 12.6 turnovers per game while drawing 17.5 fouls. They are ranked 143rd in the country in allowing assists to their opponents with 304 surrendered on the year. The Spartans are giving up an opponent FG percentage of 40.1% (562 of 1,401) and they relinquish 33.5 rebounds per game as a team. They relinquish 32.3% on 3-point shots and they are 38th in D-1 in opponents points per game (65.9).

The last time they took the hardwood, the Michigan Wolverines went home defeated by a final of 97-68 when they played Illinois. Regarding rebounds, Michigan allowed Illinois to snag 36 in total (9 on the offensive glass). They went 48.0% from 3-point land by shooting 12 out of 25 and ended up going 13 out of 15 at the free throw line (86.7%). The Wolverines permitted Illinois to convert 36 out of their 64 attempts from the field which had them at 56.3% in this matchup. Overall, the Wolverines went 24 for 57 from the floor which had them at 42.1%. In the matter of three-point shots, Michigan made 1 out of their 10 tries (10.0%). They were able to bury 19 of the free throws for a percentage of 67.9%. Illinois committed 21 personal fouls for this game which got the Wolverines to the charity stripe for 28 tries. They turned it over 11 times, while getting 5 steals in this matchup. The Wolverines corralled 17 defensive boards and 9 offensive boards for a total of 26 for the game.

Terrance Williams was important for the Wolverines in the matchup. He made 5 out of 8 in this game for a rate of 62.5%, and accumulated 6 rebounds. He accumulated 17 points in his 30 minutes of playing time, but didn't get an assist.

Michigan has a win-loss record of 8-17 this year. The Wolverines are responsible for committing 16.9 fouls every game and they hit 71.1% from the free throw line. They are assisting teammates 12.9 times per game (212th in the nation) and they lose possession by turning the ball over 12.6 times per contest. Michigan has totaled 1,893 pts for the year (75.7 per contest) and they grab 36.2 rebounds per game. As an offense, the Wolverines are hitting on 45.4% from the floor, which is ranked 140th in college basketball.

The Michigan defense concedes 36.2% from downtown (188 of 519) and their opponents are converting on 72.7% of their free throw attempts. They relinquish 13.3 dimes and 35.0 boards per game, which ranks 224th and 189th in the nation. The Wolverines on defense are ranked 340th in Division 1 in PPG given up with 79.1. They are able to force 9.8 turnovers per game and allow teams to shoot 46.0% from the field (322nd in college hoops).

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Michigan

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here