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The Jimmy V Classic featuring the Michigan State Spartans vs. Syracuse Orange had odds of Michigan State -3.5 with a total of 138.5.
You have to give Tom Izzo credit for this much, after eight games of the season he has played one of the most diverse schedules in the nation. The Spartans have squared off against teams representing the ACC, Big East, SEC, Pac-10, MAC and Ohio Valley. For good measure, Izzo even had a game against Division II Chaminade in Hawaii. Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden Izzo and his Spartans will be back in action to take on another Big East foe, the Syracuse Orange.
Michigan State has lost only two games this year, both of them to teams presently ranked among the top six in the nation (No. 1 Duke and No. 6 Connecticut). In its loss last Wednesday at Duke, the Spartans showed their typical grittiness playing in one of the most intimidating arenas in all of sports. They shot 49% from the field, and 53% from beyond the arc. They even outrebounded Duke in Cameron (35-30), something rarely seen. But 20 turnovers in the game came back to plague the Spartans in the five-point defeat. Top scorer Kalin Lucas (14.9 PPG) and Durrell Summers (14.5 PPG) struggled to bury shots, as they were just 10-for-24 from the floor, but guard Korie Lucious provided a big lift off the bench, scoring 20 points. Lucas (Achilles) and Lucious (bruised ribs) are both less than 100 percent, but both guards are expected to play Tuesday night.
Sportsbook.com opened MSU -3 & 78% of cash bet on the spread is backing the Spartans.
Despite showing some inconsistency in its offensive attack, the Orange are still 8-0, and are coming off victories over Michigan and Georgia Tech at the Legends Classic in Atlantic City, and a hard-fought home win Saturday versus North Carolina State. Syracuse is led in scoring by junior forward Kris Joseph (13.8 PPG) and senior center Rick Jackson (13.1 PPG). Jackson is also averaging a double-double this season, as he is pulling down a monstrous 12.4 RPG. Scoop Jardine is the third double-figure scorer on the team (12.5 PPG) and is leading the Orange in assists at 6.9 APG. If there is one puzzling area for Syracuse it has been the play of Brandon Triche. While playing almost seven more minutes per game than he did last year, Triche’s scoring average is slightly down (8.1 to 7.9) and his FG% is way down (50% to 40%). As a team, the Orange are averaging 70 PPG, but only have a 29.7 FG Pct. from beyond the arc. That marksmanship is sure to be challenged by the always-physical defense of the Spartans.
These twotrends like Syracuse to win in the familiar surroundings of Madison Square Garden:
Jim Boeheim is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) as a neutral court underdog of 6 points or less or pick as the coach of SYRACUSE. The average score was SYRACUSE 74.7, OPPONENT 73.4 - (Rating = 2*).
MICHIGAN ST is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) after a game with 51 or more rebounds since 1997.
The average score was MICHIGAN ST 78.4, OPPONENT 69.6 - (Rating = 1*).
Play Under - Neutral court teams against the total (SYRACUSE) - off a home win, undefeated on the season. (135-79 since 1997.) (63.1%, +48.1 units. Rating = 2*).
Izzo is 29-13 UNDER (+14.7 Units) off a home blowout win by 20 points or more as the coach of MICHIGAN ST. The average score was MICHIGAN ST 73.5, OPPONENT 61.4 - (Rating = 2*).
Sportsbook.com doesn’t just deal with sports when it comes to betting. Academy & Grammy Award odds are up so if you think you have a good idea who is going to take come the hardware, get in the action now.
