NCAA Basketball: Best bets to make for week 2 of 2020-21 season

MANHATTAN, KS - FEBRUARY 29: Kansas Jayhawks players Devon Dotson #1, David McCormack #33 and Christian Braun #2 walks up the court during the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum on February 29, 2020 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

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NCAA Basketball Joshua Langford Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

#8 Michigan State vs. #6 Duke in Durham – 6:30 pm ET Tuesday

Michigan State was as impressive as anybody in week one, with dominant wins over Eastern Michigan and Notre Dame. Through two games, eight guys are averaging five points or more and Joshua Langford (9.0 Pts, 1.0 Reb, 2.5 Ast) looks healthy.

The biggest question was without Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman who was going to lead this team? Langford’s leadership presence is as important as his on floor production as he leads this team alongside Winston’s replacement, Foster Loyer.

Touted freshmen DJ Steward (24.0 Pts, 9.0 Reb, 2.0 Ast) and Jalen Johnson (19.0 Pts, 19.0 Reb, 5.0 Ast) were dominant in their debuts for the Blue Devils, but that happened against Coppin State.

This is a huge step up for your second game in college basketball and while Duke has a ton of young athletic talent, Michigan State matches up really well both inside and out. Tom Izzo has a physical basketball team and I look for him to utilize that as much as he can in this matchup against a team running out six freshmen.

The addition of Joey Hauser from Marquette has been big as he leads the Spartans in scoring.

Despite the graduation of key players, Michigan State has a lot of experienced guys and looks well balanced. I like the Spartans to at least cover (+4) but am tempted by the moneyline.

{Pick} Michigan State (+4) versus Duke

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