Michigan State Spartans vs Northwestern Wildcats Prediction, 1/7/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Michigan State Spartans vs Northwestern Wildcats

Date: Sunday, January 7, 2024

Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, IL

TV: BTN

Welsh-Ryan Arena is where the Northwestern Wildcats (10-3) will meet the Michigan State Spartans (9-5) on Sunday.

The Michigan State Spartans faced Penn State and took home the win by a score of 92-61 in their last game. In relation to personal fouls, the Spartans finished with 17 and Penn State recorded 16 personal fouls. They made 3 out of their 29 tries from 3-point range. Penn State finished the contest at 81.8% from the charity stripe by knocking down 18 of 22 shots. In addition, Penn State grabbed 32 rebounds (11 offensive, 21 defensive), but didn't have a block. Penn State distributed 10 assists and had 4 steals in this contest. In regard to defense, Michigan State allowed the other team to shoot 32.3% from the floor on 20 of 62 shooting. They also dished out 25 assists in this game in addition to forcing 15 turnovers and earning 13 steals. In reference to hauling in rebounds, they compiled 35 with 7 of them being of the offensive variety. When they shot from the charity stripe, the Spartans converted 10 of 13 shots for a percentage of 76.9%. Michigan State finished the game having earned a 56.3% field goal percentage (36 of 64) and made 10 out of their 21 3-pointers.

Malik Hall is one player who was a factor in this contest. He ended up shooting 75.0% from the floor and also totaled 4 assists. He played for 28 minutes and pulled down 5 rebounds. He ended up scoring 24 points on 9 out of 12 shooting.

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Michigan State will play this game with a mark of 9-5 this year. They are averaging 78.3 points per contest (96th in college basketball) while going 48.4% from the field. The Spartans are hitting 35.1% on 3-pointers (94 of 268) and 70.1% from the free throw line. As a unit, Michigan State is pulling in 37.5 boards per contest and has accounted for 263 dimes on the season, which is 10th in the country in terms of passing the rock. They turn the ball over 11.0 times per game and as a basketball team are committing 16.4 fouls per contest.

On defense, the Spartans have forced 13.4 turnovers per game while drawing 18.6 personal fouls. They give up 29.1% on 3-pointers and they are 39th in college hoops in PPG allowed (64.3). The Spartans defense is allowing an opponent shooting percentage of 37.9% (310 of 818) and they surrender 34.6 boards per game as a unit. They are currently ranked 159th in D-1 in giving up assists to the opposition with 170 relinquished for the campaign.

The last time they took the hardwood, the Northwestern Wildcats took a defeat with a final score of 96-66 against Illinois. In the matter of rebounds, Northwestern allowed Illinois to grab 33 in all (9 offensive). They went 55.6% from distance by shooting 10 out of 18 and walked away from this one shooting 16 of 20 from the free throw line (80.0%). The Wildcats allowed Illinois to make 35 of 56 attempts from the field which had them at 62.5% for the game. In all, the Wildcats finished shooting 25 for 61 from the floor which had them sitting at 41.0%. In relation to shots from downtown, Northwestern converted 8 out of 16 attempts (50.0%). They were able to knock down 8 of the free throw tries for a rate of 100.0%. Illinois committed 13 fouls for the game which took the Wildcats to the charity stripe for a total of 8 shots. They gave up possession 10 times, while getting 3 steals for the matchup. The Wildcats collected 15 defensive rebounds and 8 offensive boards for a total of 23 in this matchup.

Boo Buie ended up having an impact for the Wildcats in the matchup. He tallied 20 points in his 27 mins on the court, but wasn't able to tally an assist. He made 6 out of 14 in the game for a field goal rate of 42.9%, but finished without a board.

Northwestern has a record of 10-3 so far this year. When it comes to executing on offense, the Wildcats are hitting on 46.0% from the floor, which ranks 126th in college basketball. Northwestern has earned 941 points for the campaign (72.4 per game) and they pull in 31.5 rebounds per game. They are earning an assist 16.3 times per game (49th in the nation) and they turn the ball over 9.1 times per game. The Wildcats are responsible for committing 16.8 personal fouls per contest and they shoot 71.4% from the charity stripe.

The Wildcats defensively are ranked 68th in the nation in points given up per game with 65.6. They are forcing 14.0 TO's every game and have allowed teams to shoot 43.1% from the field (204th in college basketball). The Northwestern defense allows 34.6% on shots from behind the 3-point line (94 of 272) and their opponents are converting on 73.8% of their free throw attempts. They give up 12.7 assists and 33.4 boards per game, which is ranked 179th and 107th in those defensive categories.

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

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Michigan State

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