Today’s Best March Madness Bets: Marquette vs. Michigan State NCAA Tournament Prediction, Picks, Odds

The Michigan State Spartans will be looking to earn a major upset in the East Region against the Marquette Golden Eagles.

The Spartans play in a tougher conference than the Golden Eagles. They hope the Big Ten experience will help them earn a Sweet 16 entry into the NCAA Tournament this year. After all, Michigan State is led by Tom Izzo, who has had a ton of success in the NCAA Tournament in the past. Marquette’s Shaka Smart also had his moments in the tournament but will need many years of practice before he gets close to Tom Izzo.

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Can the State of Michigan pull off the surprise?

Here are our picks, predictions and odds for today’s NCAA Tournament game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Michigan State Spartans.

Marquette vs. Michigan State Start time and where to watch Date: March 19, 2023 Game time: 5:15 p.m. ET Where to watch: CBS Marquette vs. Michigan State Odds spread: Marquette -2.5 (-110), Michigan State +2, 5 (-110) Total Odds: O/U 140 (-110) Moneyline Odds: Marquette (-145), Michigan State (+125) Marquette vs. Michigan State Injury Report Michigan State Marquette Out: G Emarion Ellis (knee), F Zach Wrightsil (knee) Best March Madness Bets: Marquette vs. Michigan State Prediction

The Michigan State Spartans have been terrific at three-pointers this season. The Spartans don’t take a lot of threes, but they’ll throw them away when they’re open. Michigan State has shot 39.4% from downtown this season, while Marquette has allowed teams to shoot over 35% from deep.

If the Spartans are successful from downtown, Michigan State should be able to edge Marquette early in this game. However, Michigan State only reaches 47.9% of the inside of the arc. It needs to improve. But that could improve against a Marquette defense that’s giving up more than 50% from inside the arc this year.

Michigan State is also hitting more than 75% from the foul line and could earn more offensive rebounds, with Marquette giving up 31.7% of offensive rebounds this season.

Michigan State has plenty of ways to win this game on the offensive side. Michigan State will look great if they shoot well from deep, get better looks from inside, and earn more second chances.

In contrast, Marquette shot 35.1% from three and 58.6% from inside the arc. The Golden Eagles are one of the best offenses in the nation, except Marquette had just 26.3 percent offensive rebounds and rarely hit the foul line.

Turnovers will remain low for Marquette, but falling shots could be the problem. The Spartans held the teams 31.6 percent from three and 48.5 percent from inside the arc. The Spartans are legitimately better in defense than Marquette. Michigan State has limited teams to 25.2% offensive rebounds and won’t give many second chances.

Therefore, I have Michigan State winning the massive upset. I’m going to play it safe and take the +2.5. Marquette’s defense will hurt his chances of advancing to the Sweet 16.

Best March Madness Bet: Marquette vs. Michigan State Pick

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