North Dakota State vs. Michigan State First Round Game Preview, Picks, Betting Odds & Data

By Thom Cunningham | Mar 18, 2026, 5:53pm

Tom Izzo looks to lead his Michigan State Spartans deep into March Madness, but must first take on the North Dakota State Bison from the Summit League. Let’s go through all the betting data, numbers, odds and predictions for this East Region showdown between No. 3 Michigan State and No. 14 North Dakota State.

North Dakota State vs. Michigan State Game Information

Date: Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Network: TNT
Region: East
Location: Buffalo, New York
Venue: KeyBank Center

North Dakota State vs. Michigan State Betting Resources

North Dakota State vs. Michigan State Betting Odds

North Dakota State vs. Michigan State Betting Data

North Dakota State Bison

Region Odds:
Sweet 16 Odds:
Elite Eight Odds:
Final Four Odds:
National Title Odds:

Seed: No. 14
Record: 27-7
Conference: Summit League
PS/G: 80.7
PA/G: 69.6
ORtg: 116.1
DRtg: 100.1

Michigan State Spartans

Region Odds:
Sweet 16 Odds:
Elite Eight Odds:
Final Four Odds:
National Title Odds:

Seed: No. 3
Record: 25-7
Conference: Big Ten
PS/G: 78.9
PA/G: 68.4
ORtg: 117.3
DRtg: 101.7

North Dakota State vs. Michigan State Key Players

North Dakota State Bison

Damari Wheeler-Thomas (SR) – 14.4 ppg
Trevian Carson (JR) – 12 ppg; 6.4 rpg
Treyson Anderson (SO) – 10.4 ppg; 5.4 rpg

Michigan State Spartans

Jeremy Fears, Jr. (JR) – 15.7 ppg; 9.2 apg
Jaxon Kohler (SR) – 12.7 ppg; 9 rpg
Coen Carr (JR) – 11.6 ppg; 5.4 rpg

North Dakota State vs. Michigan State Betting Analysis

There isn’t a lot to back between either team, as the ATS and O/U markets for both schools this season has been about even to say the least. Looking at more recent results, though, Michigan State has hit the Over in three straight games along with 10 of its last 12 games. However, North Dakota State has gone Under in its last three games along with six of eight overall.

North Dakota State vs. Michigan State Best Bet, Pick & Prediction

With no traction to get behind for either team in either market, we look at the score projection which surprisingly has an upset. We’re not sold on the outright win for North Dakota State, losing 14 straight against AP ranked schools. However, The Bison have gone Over 66 total points in 26 of 27 games and over 144 game total points in six straight games during the daytime. Based on the scored projection, there is more confidence in both North Dakota State’s and Michigan State’s Over trends than either team’s ATS ones.

Score Prediction: North Dakota State 74, Michigan State 73
Best Bet: Over 143 (-110)

Photo Credit: AP/Doug McSchooler

Thom Cunningham

Thom Cunningham is the Lineups.com News Editor and has been involved with sports media for almost two decades at Spectrum, VegasInsider.com, Oddschecker, VSiN and much more as a content producer - focused on the betting and gaming space over the last decade tracking insights, data analytics and covering various markets from the NFL to the Oscars.