It figures to be a high-scoring affair as the Indiana Hoosiers (20-5) travel to Michigan State to play the No. 8-ranked Spartans (20-5). Action starts at 1:00 pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 14 and will air on CBS.
The Spartans lost a tough one against Purdue 82-81 in their last matchup. Denzel Valentine played well in the loss for Michigan State, recording 27 points and 10 assists to earn his sixth double-double of the season. The Hoosiers, meanwhile, are coming off an 85-78 win over Iowa in their last game. Robert Johnson had a good game for Indiana, accounting for 13 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
This matchup figures to be a high-scoring affair as Michigan State ranks ninth in the nation in offensive efficiency (117.8), while Indiana is fifth (120.9). Also, the Hoosiers’s fifth-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 120.9) will face off against the 13th-ranked defense of the Spartans (defensive efficiency of 94.3).
The Spartans enter the game with records of 20-5 Straight Up (SU) and 15-9 Against The Spread (ATS). The Spartans are one of the best in Division I in terms of field-goal percentage, shooting an impressive .478 from the field. Michigan State is one of the most disciplined teams in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.69.
In the other locker room, the Hoosiers head into the game with records of 13-12 ATS and 20-5 SU. Most recently, Indiana is 7-3 ATS over the last 10 games.
These conference foes will be squaring off for the first time this season. In their most recent meeting a season ago, Michigan State came out on top, bringing its SU record to 7-3 over Indiana in their most recent games. With a 6-4 record, the Spartans also have the advantage ATS. Michigan State held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once, while Indiana was never able to do so in their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – MSU, ATS Winner – MSU
Notes
The Michigan State Spartans average 79.5 points per game, ranking 36th in the nation. The Indiana Hoosiers rank 93rd in points allowed with 68.8.
Michigan State has allowed an average of 59.3 points per home game this season. Indiana averages 74.8 points per away game, ranking 55th in scoring.
The Indiana Hoosiers have the fifth-best offensive rating in the nation (120.9). The Michigan State Spartans have a top-tier defense with a defensive rating of 94.3 (ranked 13th).
Michigan State has an average field goal percentage of 47.8%. Indiana is an even 3-3 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Michigan State Spartans average 20.0 three point attempts per game, and the Indiana Hoosiers attempt 23.0 per game. When going for at least 20 three pointers in a game this season, both teams have winning records; Michigan State is 15-2 and Indiana is 14-3.
The second-ranked team in the category, Michigan State has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.69 this season. Indiana ranks outside the top 100 at 120th with an A/TO of 1.14.
Michigan State, the third-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 42.6 rebounds per game. Indiana ranks 77th with 38.4.
The Indiana Hoosiers rank 77th in offensive rebounds, and the Michigan State Spartans rank second in the nation in defensive rebounds.
On average, Michigan State forces a turnover rate of 14.2%. When Indiana turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a stellar 19-5 record.
