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Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Michigan State Spartans NCAAM Betting Preview

It will be a Big Ten battle of worst versus first on Wednesday as the Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-8, 0-3 in Big Ten) take on the No. 10 Michigan State Spartans (12-2, 3-0 in Big Ten). The Spartans will host this one at the Breslin Center with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 pm ET.

The Cornhuskers come into this one having lost six of their last seven games including a 87-79 loss to No. 13 Ohio State on Sunday. To their credit, they lost in overtime, but they also blew a five-point lead with less than a minute left.

In the loss, Bryce McGowens led the team with 18 points. Forward Derrick Walker had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Since losing to the top-ranked Baylor Bears back in November, the Spartans have rolled off seven victories in a row. In their last game, they took down Northwestern on the road 73-67.

Michigan State had four players score in double digits in the win, with forward Gabe Brown leading the team with 20 points.

The Spartans are heavy favorites in this one. They are -2000 to win while the Cornhuskers’ moneyline sits at +980. The spread features Nebraska +15.5 (-110), and the over/under for total points is 150.5 (-110).

More Odds

Michigan State currently has the fourth-best odds of winning the Big Ten at +410. The Cornhuskers have the worst odds at +50000.

In terms of winning the National Championship, Michigan State is +4800 to win it all while Nebraska is +50000.

By The Numbers

Michigan State has been the stronger of the two programs offensively. They currently rank 64th in the nation averaging 75.6 points per game (81.3 at home). The Cornhuskers rank 67th averaging 75.3 points.

Defensively, it is again Michigan State with the advantage. They rank 84th in the nation in scoring defense allowing 65.4 points per game. Nebraska ranks 304th allowing 77.1 points per game (90.3 on the road).

Struggling Nebraska Looking For Major Upset

At 0-3 in the Big Ten, good for last in the conference, Nebraska has not exactly gotten out to a strong start. Still, a win over the Spartans Wednesday would not only give them their first road win, but it would be a major upset early in the season.

The Cornhuskers were on the brink of such an upset in their last outing, and they will look to finish the job Wednesday.

Nebraska is led by guards Bryce McGowens and Alonzo Verge Jr. McGowens, a freshman, is averaging 15.8 points per game despite shooting just 39.2% from the field. He is also adding 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Verge, a senior, is averaging 15.6 points per game on 45% shooting. Verge is also averaging 5.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.

Other contributors include Derrick Walker (9.4 points, 6.6 rebounds), Keisei Tominaga (8.4 points, 1.1 steals), and C.J. Wilcher (7.8 points).

Spartans Hope To Stay Atop Big Ten Standings

Even though they are not the favorites to win the conference, the Spartans are hoping to pick up their fourth conference win of the season. With Ohio State also 3-0, every conference victory is important.

Senior Gabe Brown leads head coach Tom Izzo’s squad. Brown is averaging 14.6 points on 44.1% shooting. He is also adding 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

Marcus Bingham Jr. is the only other Spartan averaging double digits. He is putting up 11 points a game on 58.3% shooting. The 7’0” senior is also pulling down 8.1 rebounds and three blocks per game.

Malik Hall (9.7 points, 4.6 rebounds), Max Christie (9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds), Joey Hauser (7.2 points, 6.4 rebounds), A.J. Hoggard (6.8 points, 4.5 assists) and Tyson Walker (6.5 points, 5.2 assists) are also helping the Spartans’ hot start.

Take Nebraska and the Points

Michigan State is undoubtedly the better team in this game, but it also seems like the Spartans have played down to their competition at times. In their last nine wins, they have only won by over 15 points once.
Given the fact that they have played some pretty inferior teams like Oakland, High Point, and Toledo, it is shocking they haven’t won games by more.

Additionally, if the Cornhuskers can play like they did against Ohio State, they have a shot at keeping this close.
Especially at the Breslin Center, it is hard to imagine the Cornhuskers pulling off an upset, but covering the 15.5-point spread isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Take Nebraska +15.5.

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