MSU vs. Oklahoma Betting Odds
Carrie Stroup here with your MSU vs. Oklahoma betting odds courtesy of Sportsbook.ag.
MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (25-11) vs. OKLAHOMA SOONERS (24-10)
NCAA Tournament – Sweet 16
Sportsbook.ag Line: Michigan State -2.0, Total: 135.5
Michigan State looks to pull off another upset when it plays Oklahoma for a spot in the Elite Eight Friday.
Michigan State faced Virginia in its last game and won 60-54 as a 4.5-point underdog. The Spartans have now won-and-covered in two straight games, allowing just 58.5 PPG in those contests. This team knows how to win games in March and will now look for yet another big win in order to advance in this tournament.
Oklahoma is not going to roll over and give it to them though. The Sooners beat Dayton 72-66 as 4-point favorites last round and have now won seven of their past nine games SU. This team has been excellent defensively as well, allowing just 60.5 PPG over the past four games.
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These teams last met on Nov. 23, 2013, when Michigan State beat Oklahoma 87-76 as an 11.5-point home favorite. Since 1997, the Spartans are 3-2 SU but just 2-3 ATS against the Sooners, but the meeting in 2013 was their only one in the past three seasons.
Michigan State is 13-6 ATS after having won two of its past three games this season. The team is also 13-4 ATS after scoring 60 points or less over the past three seasons. Oklahoma, meanwhile, is 7-0 ATS after failing to cover eight or more of its past 10 games since 1997. F Javon Bess (Foot) is out for the season for Michigan State and Oklahoma is not currently dealing with any significant injuries.
Michigan State has been an extremely tough team to play against on both ends of the floor. The Spartans are scoring 71.9 PPG (67th in NCAA) on 47.1% shooting (32nd NCAA) and allowing just 63.1 PPG (85th in NCAA) this season. The team knows how to move the ball (17.1 APG, 4th in NCAA) and is also very good on the glass (37.7 RPG, 36th in NCAA).
G Denzel Valentine (14.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 4.4 APG) is this team’s most important player, and he was fortunate that his team bailed him out against Virginia. Valentine was awful in that game, scoring just four points (1-for-6 FG) with some awful shooting percentages and he also racked up four personal fouls. He’ll need to find his stroke against Oklahoma and he also has to find a way to stay on the court by playing disciplined defense.
G Travis Trice (15.0 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.1 SPG) is really the reason this team was able to advance. Trice caught fire against the Cavaliers last round, finishing with 23 points (7-for-15 FG, 4-for-8 3PT, 5-for-6 3PT) in 39 minutes of action. Trice will need to continue to knock down outside shoots, which is something he has done all season (37% 3PT). He must also find his teammates when he can’t create for himself, as he is one of the best passers on this Michigan State roster.
F Branden Dawson (12.1 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.6 BPG) is this team’s toughest player inside. Dawson came up huge against Virginia last round, scoring 15 points and also adding nine rebounds and four blocks in 34 minutes of action. He’ll need to continue to protect the rim and finish around the basket for the Spartans.
Oklahoma’s numbers were very comparable to Michigan State’s this season, averaging 71.9 PPG (65th in NCAA) on 43.6% shooting (167th in NCAA) and allowing just 62.8 PPG (74th in NCAA). This team is also very tough on the glass, averaging 38.1 RPG (23rd in NCAA) and 27.1 of those come on the defensive end (5th in NCAA).
G Buddy Hield (17.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.4 SPG) is this team’s best offensive player. Hield is averaging 15.0 PPG in the tournament so far, but he is shooting just 34.5% from the field in those two games. He is a good outside shooter (36% 3PT) and must start shooting more accurately, as he can’t afford to shoot his team out of games.
G Jordan Woodard (9.3 PPG, 3.9 APG, 3.6 RPG, 1.6 SPG) played one of his best games of the season against Dayton last round, finishing with 16 points, four steals and three assists in 35 minutes of action. He is the best passer that the Sooners have and if he is scoring like that then this team will be very tough to beat.
Isaiah Cousins (11.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.3 SPG) is another extremely productive player in this backcourt, but he is averaging just 7.5 PPG in the tournament so far. Cousins will need to be at his best against Michigan State and that would mean he breaks through and finally hits double digits this round.
Fs Ryan Spangler (9.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.1 BPG) and TaShawn Thomas (11.4 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.5 BPG) combined for 21 rebounds in the game against Dayton. They did, however, score just 15 combined points and will need to be much better offensively. These guys are both counted on to reach double digits and they’ll need to play well against this Michigan State frontcourt.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
