In addition to this being a contest between schools that have never met on the hardwood floor, it’s an eight seed versus a nine seed. As such, the possibilities feel endless with relatively comparable foes squaring off without having a feel for each other.

According to the March Madness odds, this should be a close one. The Spartans are pegged as slight -1.5 favourites.

Michigan St. Spartans vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting

The discrepancy between these sides may not be grand as far as how they’ve performed this season, but it is with regards to each school’s history in March Madness.

This latest edition of the tournament marks the 26^th consecutive time Michigan State has a spot at the dance. The current campaign has been topsy-turvy against the spread for the program, with the Spartans only mustering a 16-14-1 tally. They did at least cover their two playoff games, including against Purdue as 8.5 underdogs.

As for the Bulldogs, they’re much less frequent participants in March Madness. That 2024 marks the second consecutive year in which they punched their ticket is an accomplishment. The last time that happened was 2008-09. The school has never played a final, although they did reach the Final Four in 1996. Things didn’t go very well ATS this season, as evidenced by the 14-16-1 record. They seem to catching fire at the right time, though. Mississippi Sate covered all three of its playoff spreads (twice as underdogs) after ending the regular season with four straight losses.

Michigan St. Spartans (8)

Judging by the figures that the Spartans put up (and give up), this could be a game for which the under is the safer bet. Michigan State had the second-best defence in the Big Ten, conceding only 65.9 points per match. On the flip side, their offence was nothing to write home about, scoring no more than 73.1 points per contest.

That said, the offensive production is more evenly distributed, with Tyson Walker (18.2), Malik Hall (12.6), A.J. Hoggard (11.0), and Jaden Akins (10.2) all hitting double-digits on average. Walker also averaged a healthy 1.8 steals a game this season.

Mississippi State Bulldogs (9)

If defence wins championships, then the Bulldogs have at least that going for them. While their 8-10 conference record didn’t impress, they were a stout defensive unit, giving up only 69.1 points a match. Opponents only manage a 41.6 shooting percentage against them, good for third in the SEC. Conversely, Mississippi State was one of the less offensively gifted sides, scoring only 74.8 points a game, fourth-worst in the SEC.

Two players can lead the way for the Bulldogs to put up points on the board. Guard Josh Hubbard averages a team-best 17.1 points, followed closely by forward Tolu Smith with 15.2. Nobody else nets even 10 points a night. Smith is also a terrific rebounder, earning 8.4 boards.

Who Will Win Spartans vs. Bulldogs?

SPARTANS

Away

70

BULLDOGS

Home

73

Score
Predictions

Matchup