Michigan State, led by coach Tom Izzo, faces North Dakota State in their NCAA Tournament opener as the No. 3 seed in the East Region. Scheduled for 4:05 PM ET in Buffalo, NY, the Spartans are anticipated to dominate, entering the game as 16.5-point favorites after a successful season. MSU has a strong history in the tournament with 8 Final Four appearances but hasn't reached that stage since 2019. North Dakota State earned their spot after winning the Summit League Tournament, but they're significantly outmatched in experience and competition level.

By the Numbers
  • Michigan State's implied probability of winning: 91.65%
  • North Dakota State's implied probability of winning: 8.35%
  • Michigan State's record against top-50 opponents: 7-6
  • North Dakota State's record against top-100 opponents: 0-2
Yes, But

Despite the odds favoring MSU, North Dakota State's surprising momentum from their conference tournament win could inspire an upset. Bettors are intrigued by the potential for a hot-shooting underdog, despite their lack of experience against tough competition.

State of Play
  • Both teams have solid records; Michigan State is 25-7, North Dakota State is 27-7.
  • Michigan State's strength of schedule (0.5786) vastly surpasses North Dakota State's (0.4484).
  • The Spartans excel against teams outside the top 50 with an 18-1 record.
What's Next

If Michigan State performs as expected, they will advance to the subsequent rounds, increasing their chances of making a deeper tournament run. North Dakota State needs to capitalize on any momentum to challenge the Spartans effectively.

Bottom Line

Michigan State鈥檚 experience and athleticism present a formidable challenge for North Dakota State, indicating a likely straightforward victory for the Spartans. Bettors should consider Michigan State as a solid pick to cover the spread.