The No. 6 Michigan State Spartans (15-2, 6-0 Big 10) travel to Nebraska to take on the Cornhuskers (13-4, 3-3 Big 10) in a matchup that pits sensational offense against exceptional defense. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 17, 2019.
Michigan State Spartans vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Free Prediction
In the Spartans’ last matchup, they defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions, 71-56. The Spartans had a much better free throw rate (0.255 vs. 0.117) and held the Nittany Lions to an offensive rebounding percentage of 23.1 (below their season average of 32.4). With 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting, Nick Ward was Michigan State’s high scorer.
The Cornhuskers were victorious over the No. 25 Indiana Hoosiers in their last game, 66-51. The Cornhuskers held the Hoosiers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 23.7 (below the 31.9 mark opponents have averaged against Nebraska this season) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.385 (below their season average of 0.575). With 14 points and eight rebounds, Isaac Copeland Jr. had a solid game for Nebraska.
After the Spartans won the lone contest against the Cornhuskers last season, 86-57, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Spartans made 27 of their 36 free throws (75.0 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 21.7).
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the productive offense of Nebraska (21st in the country with an offensive efficiency of 115.8) takes on the top-notch defense of Michigan State (39th in the country with a defensive efficiency of 93.7). Furthermore, the Spartans could control the offensive glass in this battle as they rank 22nd in the nation in offensive rebounding percentage at 36.2 percent. The Cornhuskers, meanwhile, rank 287th at securing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 68.6 percent.
Michigan State Spartans vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Nebraska, ATS Winner – Nebraska, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes:
Michigan State averages 43.8 rebounds per game, which ranks fourth in the country. Nebraska ranks 161st in rebounds allowed per game (36.0).
The Cornhuskers rank 12th in three pointers allowed per game (17.7) while the Spartans rank 152nd (23.0).
Nebraska ranks 31st in steals per game (8.3) while Michigan State ranks 165th (5.4).
The Spartans average 5.6 blocks per game, which ranks ninth in the country. The Cornhuskers rank 95th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
Michigan State ranks first in assists per game (21.1) while Nebraska ranks 83rd (14.6).
Bettings Trends:
The Spartans’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 19.2, up from 18.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cornhuskers have scored an average of 74.2 points per game (4.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.0 points per game (3.2 above their season average).
+++++
