The No. 2 Michigan State Spartans (10-1) will try to extend their nine-game winning streak against the Long Beach State 49ers (5-8) at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, 2017.
Michigan State opened as a 29-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 152 points.
Long Beach State 49ers at Michigan State Spartans Betting Prediction
The last time the 49ers played, they were topped by the Eastern Michigan Eagles, 85-80. Eastern Michigan’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Long Beach State. The Eagles had a rate of 0.621 (above their season average of 0.539), while the 49ers posted a mark of 0.570. Gabe Levin was Long Beach State’s leading scorer with 22 points on 7-for-14 shooting.
The Spartans easily got past the Houston Baptist Huskies in their last matchup, 107-62. Michigan State’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Houston Baptist. The Spartans had a rate of 0.732 (above their season average of 0.553), while the Huskies posted a mark of 0.311 (below their season average of 0.497). Miles Bridges was the top scorer from either team with 33 points on 11-for-14 shooting.
The high-powered offense of Michigan State will clash against the porous defense of Long Beach State. The Spartans currently rank 23rd in offensive efficiency, while the 49ers are 326th in defensive efficiency. The Spartans figure to have the advantage on that end of the court.
Long Beach State heads into the contest with records of 5-8 straight up (SU) and 6-6 against the spread (ATS). 49ers games have a tendency to go over the total (58.3 percent).
Meanwhile, Michigan State owns records of 10-1 SU and 7-5 ATS. Vegas is extremely accurate when setting the O/U total of Spartans games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Long Beach State 49ers at Michigan State Spartans Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Michigan State, ATS Winner – Michigan State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Michigan State ranks seventh in rebounds per game (43.6) while Long Beach State ranks 228th (33.0).
The Spartans average 19.8 assists per game, which ranks fifth in the NCAA. The 49ers rank 211th in assists allowed per game (16.5).
Michigan State ranks first in blocks per game (9.0) while Long Beach State ranks 92nd in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
The 49ers average 6.9 steals per game, which ranks 85th in the NCAA. The Spartans rank 133rd in steals allowed per game (6.9).
Bettings Trends:
The 49ers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.2, down from 7.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Spartans have scored an average of 84.8 points per game (2.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 59.4 points per game (2.0 below their season average).
