The Michigan State Spartans are on the road in college basketball action tonight, taking on the Duke Blue Devils in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The game is scheduled for a 9:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. The college basketball odds for the game have the Blue Devils favored to pick up the win in this one at home.
College Basketball Odds
Duke -10.5
Total: 147.5 points
Duke is expected to play this game without its big three freshmen Harry Giles, Marques Bolden and Jayson Tatum and the status of potential player of the year Grayson Allen is up in the air as of Monday night. If Allen is able to go the Dukies should still feel comfortable taking on a Michigan State team searching for its identity.
Miles Bridges leads the Spartans, he’s the type of player that Duke usually gets. He’s the ultimate one and done player that runs the floor, dunks a lot and isn’t known for playing a lot of defense. Michigan State is just 4-3 on the season but they have played a tough schedule and they’ve logged a lot of miles in traveling. It’s going to get considerably better for the Spartans moving forward, they won’t play a team that’s really any good until Jan. 21 on the road at Indiana. It might sound like a leap, but Michigan State should be favored and win the next 11 games following this one against Duke.
The Blue Devils are ranked fifth, they are loaded with perimeter shooters and have crushed everyone inside Cameron Indoor Stadium this season. Luke Kennard leads the team in scoring (17.1 ppg) and assists (3.9 apg) this year. Frank Jackson and Matt Jones can also hit perimeter shots to aide the inside play of Amile Jefferson as well. Duke, even without its freshmen, are a much better team than Michigan State.
The Spartans will play hard, but Duke’s defense will be key against a guy like Bridges. With him being taken out of the game, nobody else on Michigan State will be able to step up in his spot and lead the Spartans to a win in this game.
Free Pick: Duke
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