Michigan State vs Mississippi State Picks and Prediction – 3/21/2024

The Michigan State Spartans come into the NCAA tournament a mediocre 5 games above .500 having lost three of the last five following their loss to Purdue. Offensively the Spartans have been below their normal output this season scoring just 73.1 points on 46.07% shooting from the floor. Defensively Michigan State has been top tier however ranking #26 in the nation holding opponents under 66 points per game overall. For other college basketball action see our College Basketball Picks.

Offensively Michigan State was atrocious against Purdue scoring just 62 points on 39.3% shooting. The Spartans also made just four of 18 long balls and turned the ball over 13 times in the game. Defensively Michigan State was outmatched giving up 67 points on 41.5% shooting from the floor.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs finished the 2024 regular season eight games above .500 following a loss to Auburn in the SEC tournament. The Mississippi State offense carried the team all season scoring nearly 75 points on 45.4% shooting from the floor. Defensively Mississippi State was ranked in the top 100 in the country holding opponents to just 69.06 points per game but gave up more than 70 against Auburn.

Josh Hubbard is the offense of maestro for Mississippi State this season averaging 17.1 points per game. Tolu Smith averages 15.2 points as the only other player in double figures. Cameron Matthews does everything for Mississippi State averaging 9.5 points per game to go along with a team high 6.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.