NCAA Basketball Michigan State vs Arizona: Odds, Tips and Predictions 11/23/23.

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4.5/5

Prediction: Bet Arizona to cover

• Over/Under: Michigan State vs Arizona (145.5)
• Spread: Arizona -5
• Pick: Bet Arizona to cover

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Michigan State has had issues nobody expected so far this season, but they have played better as of late. Arizona is 5-0 and is steam rolling the competition so far this season. This game has the feel of a Final Four matchup and should be one of the weekend’s top games.

No. 3 Arizona is currently unbeaten after five games this season and has already defeated Duke 78-73 and Texas Arlington 101-56 at home. Arizona went 28-7 last year so it should come as no surprise that they are off to such an impressive start, even without returning starter Omar Ballo (7-0, 266); they added former North Carolina guard Caleb Love (16.7ppg LY, 64.9FG%) through transfer portal and sophomore Kylan Boswell has been incredible thus far – while Love leads them with 24 assists but is only shooting 40.8% from field and 28.6% from three-point line (25 for 12 total assists). Arizona ranks fifth nationally in rebounding margin at +25. Additionally, they boast five players averaging 11.4 to 13.8 points per game and average 99.6 points per game (3rd). They rank 13th for three-point shooting (41.5%) and 17th in field goal percentage (52.4%), as well as 51st place defensively by only allowing 63.5 ppg (51). They allow 31.7% shooting (184th).

Tom Izzo may be getting annoyed over his team’s slow starts. The No. 21 Spartans started the season with losses against James Madison (now 22nd in the nation) and Duke (74-65) but recovered nicely, beating Butler on Nov 17 74-54 before crushing Alcorn State 81-49 the following night at home. They beat Alcorn State without star guard Tyson Walker due to illness; he’s expected to return for this game. Walker averages 23 points per game on 53.8% shooting (29.4% 3pt), and Tre Hollman made up for that by contributing 17 points and five assists on 6-of-7 shooting (5-of-5 3pt). Defensively, they remain solid – particularly field goal defense (33.4%) and three-point defense (28.1%) are strong areas, yet they struggled in rebounding (+0.8 margin). On offense they’ve averaged just 74 points per game while shooting 44.6% from field while only 26.3% (323rd) from long range (323rd) from long range; they only shot 66.4% from their free throw line (270th).

Michigan State has been playing better recently, while Arizona boasts superior guards who have crushed teams on the boards. Michigan State usually dominates opponents when it matters; this season has been different; they’ve not been dominating teams on the boards like they usually would. Tom Izzo’s teams usually dominate those stats; they just aren’t yet. Arizona is not a team you want to face right now, and if Caleb Love ever gets back his shot, it could spell doom for Pac-12 basketball.

Tip:

Arizona to Cover

Best Odd

-5

Brand

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