Michigan State Spartans NCAA Championship Odds
Written March 25, 2009 by Jay Horne
Michigan State was predicted to be the best team in the Big Ten this season and they did not disappoint those predictions. The Spartans entered the year ranked 5th in the pre-season polls. After a solid season, Michigan State hovered right around that 5th place ranking for most of the year. The Spartans got off to a semi-disappointing start losing 2 of their first 6 games to ACC opponents Maryland and North Carolina. However, the Spartans rebounded nicely winning their next 11 straight games and continued a stellar pace to the second half of the season as well. Michigan State ended their season with a record of 26-6 living up to most expectations and earned a number 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. BetUS currently has the Spartans at 18-to-1 to win the NCAA tournament this year.
Michigan State owns the number 1 scoring offense in the Big Ten which averaged 72 points per game. While those numbers may not be surprising, they are very solid for a conference that is not known for scoring. The Spartans have been strong on both ends of the floor this season. Michigan State’s ability to conquer the boards has really given them a boost this season and made them very tough to beat. The Spartans have averaged 39 rebounds per game this season which ranks inside the top 25 for rebounding teams. The Spartans also have a top 5 defensive rebounding team that has only allowed 28 boards per game this season. It is safe to say that the Spartans can really make a difference in games when they control the boards like they have all season.
Michigan State may have the toughest road of any number 2 seed in the entire NCAA Tournament. The Spartans took down a tough USC team in their last outing by score of 74-69. Michigan State now will get the defending national champions by the name of the Kansas Jayhawks in the sweet sixteen. If Michigan State could manage to pull out the victory, their reward would be a likely meeting with the overall number 1 seed Louisville in the Elite Eight meaning there is definitely not an easy game left on the schedule. The Spartans are receiving 20/1 odds to win the National Championship due to the tough road they have before them, but the Spartans have proved this season that they can play with any team in America. Bet on Michigan State +1800.
Michigan State battle with Kansas in the sweet sixteen is a re-match from back in January when the Spartans took down the Jayhawks rather convincingly 75-62. Standout guard Kalin Lucas dropped 22 points in a collective impressive performance by Michigan State in that meeting. Lucas leads the Spartans offense in scoring this season averaging 14 points per game and Michigan State will definitely love to have another 20 plus performance from their standout guard. Forward Raymar Morgan has also been an impact player this year for the Spartans averaging double figures and having some big nights during the season. Morgan will try and be the go to guy if Lucas is not able to shine as the Spartans will try to make their march to a National Championship.
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