Michigan State Vs. Duke Odds, Picks, and Predictions (3/20/22)

By Scott Steinberg | Mar 19, 2022, 2:37pm

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Michigan State was able to just do enough as they edged Davidson, 74-73 in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Joey Hauser had a career-high 27 points (shooting nine for 12 from the field with four three-pointers) while grabbing eight rebounds in the hard-fought victory. A.J. Hoggard scored 14 points as well for the Spartans. In their last 19 games, the Spartans are 9-10. Duke won their first-round matchup over 15^thseed CSU Fullerton, 78-61. Paolo Banchero had 17 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots, Wendell Moore Jr. made three out of four three-point attempts while AJ Griffin added 10 points and six rebounds.

In this second-round matchup between Michigan State and Duke, it will be the sixth NCAA tournament meeting between Tom Izzo and Mike Krzyzewski. These legendary coaches have combined for 151 NCAA tournament wins. The last time they met was in the 2019 Elite Eight, when Michigan State shocked a Duke team that featured Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett 68-67 to go to the Final Four.

Michigan State Vs. Duke Betting Odds

Michigan State is 4-0 against the spread in their last four games following an against the spread win. Under is 5-1 in the Spartans last six Sunday games. The Spartans are 5-0 against the spread in their last five games overall. The underdog is 5-0 against the spread in the last five meetings between Michigan State and Duke. The Blue Devils are 0-5 against the spread in their last five games overall. Duke is 0-7 against the spread in their last seven NCAA Tournament games as a favorite. Over is 5-0 in Duke’s last five games following a straight up win.

Michigan State Odds

Entering the 2022 NCAA Tournament, Michigan State was listed at +20000 to win the National Championship, the Spartans are the last Big Ten school to win the National Championship (2000). Michigan State really struggled in their last 15 Big Ten games, going 6-9 following an impressive 5-0 start in Big Ten play.

Senior forward, Gabe Brown leads the Spartans in scoring this season at 11.4 points per game. Brown is averaging 3.9 rebounds per game while playing 28.7 minutes per game. Freshman guard Max Christie is averaging 9.1 points per game and 3.5 rebounds per game. Christie is a solid pro prospect and capable of carrying the club for long stretches at a time. Forward Marcus Bingham Jr. leads the Spartans in rebounds per game at 6.1 and averaging 9.2 points per contest. A.J. Hoggard lead the team in assists this season with 4.9 per game. The sophomore guard is averaging seven points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game this season.

Compared to other clubs Tom Izzo has had at Michigan State this is an average to good team without a truly identifiable star. There’s no Mateen Cleaves, Draymond Green or Cassius Winston to bail the team out in tough moments. But any Tom Izzo coached team is dangerous and can pull off the upset.

Duke Odds

In Coach Mike Krzyzewski final season at the helm of the Blue Devils, Duke is currently listed at +1600 to win the 2021-22 national championship. The Blue Devils have one of the most if not the most talented team in the tournament. Duke has four starters that are predicted to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft.

Paolo Banchero who’ll most likely be a top-five selection in 2022 NBA draft, leads the Blue Devils in scoring averaging 17 points a game and rebounds averaging 7.9 per game. The freshman is averaging 31.5 minutes per game while adding 3.2 assists per contest for Duke. Wendell Moore Jr. is second on the team in scoring averaging 13.2 points per game. The junior forward leads the team in assists at 4.6 per game and averaging 5.5 rebounds per contest. Trevor Keels is averaging 11.7 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game and three assists per game. Center Mark Williams leads Duke in blocked shots per game at 2.8. Williams is averaging 11.1 points per game and places second on the team in rebounds averaging 7.4 per game

Michigan State Vs. Duke Picks & Prediction

Michigan State is averaging 72.1 points per game; 159^th in the nation and 15.7 assists per game; 38^th in the country. On the defensive end the Spartans are allowing 68.6 points per game. Michigan State has won two national championships in school history (1979 and 2000). Duke is averaging 80.1 points per game; ninth in the country and 17 assists per game; 12^th in the nation. Defensively the Blue Devils are allowing 67 points per game. Duke has won five national championships during Coach K’s run at Duke (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010 and 2015). The Blue Devils are the more talented team than the Spartans and have the look of a champion, if they could put it all together. Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching career will continue as Duke heads to the Sweet 16 beating Michigan State by at least seven points.

March Madness Bracket

Scott Steinberg

Scott has been a sports fan since he received a New York Mets jacket as a toddler. He’s been playing fantasy baseball and football for over 20 years, dating back to Frank Thomas being one of his first fantasy baseball picks. As a professional, he has covered the NFL, MLB, NCAAF, and NCAAB and is looked to as the go-to guy for fantasy sports amongst family, friends, and co-workers.