E. Michigan at Michigan St. (-13.5-) 9:00 ET BIG10 TV
Free 1* E. Michigan (+13.5-)
In MAC vs. Big 10games, you always have to be careful of the matchup. Big Brother could easily put their foot on the pedal and come away with a blowout victory. That is especially true against regional opponents. The other side of the coin finds a capable road team, who has shown the ability to play with the big boys. Such is the case tonight.
Michigan State, under 20th year HC Tom Izzo, perennially fields a team that goes deep into the NCAA playoffs. Last year, the 29-9 SU team ascended to the Elite 8, where they lost to eventual National Champion, UConn. Though the Spartans have just 2 RS from that team, they are once again picked to vie for the Big 10 crown and proceed far into the NCAA Tourney. There have been some chinks in the armor with losses by 10 to Duke, 5 to Kansas and 1 at Notre Dame. But in 4 games on this floor as home favorite of 15 or more points, they have defeated Loy-Chicago by 35, Santa Clara by 27, Ark-Pine Bluff by 33 and just 3 nights ago, Oakland by 26. Why should this matchup by any different?
Like this write-up? No one gives you the in-depth analysis to give you the knowledge and confidence you need to make your BEST BET tonight. 18-10 in all CBB this season is no joke; I'm handing you the Treasure Map, all you have to do is follow.
To the uninformed, E. Michigan may appear to be a middle rung MAC team. Those who closely follow college basketball understand that is far from the truth. Eastern Michigan is ably guided by 4th year HC Murphy. Murphy is a former Syracuse Asst., who learned his lessons well under master mentor, Jim Boeheim. Four years ago, Murphy took over a team that had only 9 wins. In his 3 years at the helm, the Eagles have soared from 14, to 16, to 22 victories. Last year, they were rewarded by a CIT post-season bid. Building on that excellence, a full complement of his own recruits and having thoroughly installed the principals of Boeheim’s 2-3 zone defense, Eastern is off to a superlative start at 8-1 SU. Lone loss was a cover at Dayton, while the pinnacle of their success was reached in their previous game (a 45-42 upset of Michigan) as +13 road dog. Though a letdown from that win might seem inevitable, it is unlikely considering, they have had 8 days to come down off that high and that they will be facing an even bigger name in-state opponent.
---Tune into tonight at 9 ET to see this Defensive Dandy control the tempo and use their 56 PPG and 36% FG defense control the pace and come in under this number.---