Michigan St. Spartans vs
UCLA BruinsPredictions & Preview

Michigan State Spartans Set to Face UCLA Bruins in Highly Anticipated Matchup: Game Preview and Betting Odds

In this upcoming conference matchup, the Michigan State Spartans will travel to face the UCLA Bruins. Last season, these teams did not compete against each other due to UCLA being in the Pac-12. Michigan State is looking to bounce back from a recent loss to USC, while UCLA is coming off a convincing win against #16 Oregon. Tipoff is set for 10:00 EST and the game can be watched on Peacock. Currently, UCLA is favored to win by 2.5 points according to the latest betting line.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Spartans +128 | Bruins -153
• Spread: Spartans +2.5 (-110) | Bruins -2.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 139.25 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that UCLA will win straight-up is 60%.

Michigan St. vs UCLA Stats

Michigan St. Spartans

The Michigan State Spartans recently suffered their first conference loss of the season against USC, ending their winning streak at 13 games. Despite this setback, they remain in first place in the Big Ten with Purdue and Michigan close behind. Leading the team is Jeremy Fears Jr., a freshman guard who is the top assist leader. Jaden Akins and Jase Richardson are also key players in the balanced offense, with Coen Carr leading in frontcourt scoring. Michigan State is currently ranked 17th overall in KenPom rankings and projected to be a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Offensively, they excel in free throw percentage but struggle from beyond the arc. Defensively, they have strong field goal and three-point percentages. The Spartans have been successful this season, boasting strong rebounding and assist numbers.

UCLA Bruins Analysis

The UCLA Bruins have been on a winning streak in the Big Ten, with five consecutive victories leading up to their upcoming matchup with the Spartans. They have secured wins at home against strong opponents like Iowa, #18 Wisconsin, and #16 Oregon, as well as on the road against Washington and USC. The team is tied for fourth in the Big Ten and is improving their chances of making it to the NCAA Tournament with every win. Leading the team in scoring is Eric Dailey Jr., a 6'8 sophomore transferring from Oklahoma State, who is averaging 12.5 PPG and 4.3 RPG. Tyler Bilodeau, a 6'9 junior, and Sebastian Mack, a 6'3 sophomore guard, also contribute significantly to the team's scoring. The Bruins are ranked 27th overall by KenPom, with solid offensive and defensive efficiency rankings. They are projected to be a 7-seed in the NCAA Tournament according to Bracketology. In terms of offensive statistics, the Bruins shoot fairly well from the field and the free-throw line, but struggle with three-point shooting. Defensively, they have solid field goal percentage defense but need to improve on defending the three-pointer. Overall, the Bruins have a power ranking of 37 and hold a record of 16-6. The Spartans have gone 1-2 in their last three matchups against UCLA.

Michigan State Spartans Favored to Cover Spread Against UCLA

The Michigan State Spartans have consistently performed well this season, with a balanced rotation featuring eight players averaging over six points per game. Despite a recent loss to USC, the team, led by head coach Tom Izzo, is poised to bounce back and maintain their strong record. Facing UCLA, whose offense ranks lower in efficiency, Michigan State's 14th ranked defense presents a challenge for the Bruins. With the Spartans being one of the top teams in the nation, they are favored to cover the spread in this matchup. Therefore, it is recommended to take Michigan State plus the points in this game.

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