NCAA Basketball: Michigan vs Michigan State among top local matchups
By Ryan Kay
Last weekend on New Year’s Eve saw great in-state NCAA basketball matchups of No. 5 Arizona defeating Arizona state by nine and No. 18 TCU beating Texas Tech by six. There was also an under-the-radar game between two in-state schools in Saint Mary’s and Santa Clara which resulted in a three-point victory for the Gaels over the Broncos.
Oregon also defeated their in-state rival Oregon State and Kentucky defeated their biggest in-state rival as well by beating Louisville by 23. This weekend looks to have some good, quality in-state matchups as well.
Once again this week, we will look at the marquee games that will be held among power five conference teams and five traditional in-state rivals.
ESPN3. Saturday, Jan 7. 499. 498. 3-11. . 2 PM ET. 6-8
Team Profiles heading into this game
. . . Chippewas . . team. 498
Central Michigan
Best Wins: at Michigan(63-61) and Eastern Illinois (76-60)
Notable Defeats: At Marquette (73-97), at Minnesota (60-68), at Tulsa (63-70), at Missouri State (58-79), and Youngstown State (65-76)
KenPom Ranking: 258
College Basketball Power Index Ranking: 280
Sagarin Ranking: 257
Net Ranking: 249
Quadrant 1 Wins: Zero
Quadrant 2 Victories: One
Quadrant 3 Wins: Zero
. Eagles . . team. 499. .
Eastern Michigan
Best Wins: At Florida International (80-68) and Detroit Mercy (79-77)
Notable Defeats: Michigan (83-88), at Bradley (61-89), Flordia Atlantic (73-101), at South Carolina (64-74), and Purdue Fort Wayne (67-74)
KenPom Ranking: 320
College Basketball Power Index Ranking: 329
Sagarin Ranking: 303
Net Ranking: 323
Quadrant 1 Wins: Zero
Quadrant 2 Victories: Zero
Quadrant 3 Wins: Zero
Rivalry History and Game Prediction
Last 10 games of this rivalry: The Eagles have won six out of the last ten games against the Chippewas.
Current Win Streak: Eastern Michigan has won the last two games between these two schools, having a two-game winning streak in this rivalry.
The last meeting between both schools: The Eagles defeated the Chippewas on the road by a final score of 75-70.
Prediction: Eastern Michigan 90 Central Michigan 92 OT
. 6-8. 2249. ESPN3. Saturday, Jan 7. 11-3. 2250. 3:30 PM ET
Team Profiles heading into this game
. . Golden Flashes . . team. 2250.
Kent State
Best Wins: Portland (77-65), South Dakota State (83-68), at Cleveland State (67-58), New Mexico State (73-63), and at UTEP (47-46)
Notable Defeats: At Charleston (72-74), at Houston (44-49), and at Gonzaga (66-73)
KenPom Ranking: 66
College Basketball Power Index Ranking: 71
Sagarin Ranking: 62
NET Ranking: 38
Quadrant 1 Wins: Zero
Quadrant 2 Victories: Zero
Quadrant 3 Wins: Four
. RedHawks . . team. 2249. .
Miami of Ohio
Best Wins: Jackson State (95-78) and at Bellarmine (71-67)
Notable Defeats: At Georgia (70-77), Marshall (69-95), Indiana (56-86), Indiana State (61-88), and at Cincinnati (76-103)
KenPom Ranking: 302
College Basketball Power Index Ranking: 294
Sagarin Ranking: 293
NET Ranking: 325
Quadrant 1 Wins: Zero
Quadrant 2 Victories: Zero
Quadrant 3 Wins: Zero
Rivalry History and Game Prediction
Last 10 games of this rivalry: The Golden Flashes have won eight out of the last ten games against the RedHawks.
Current Win Streak: Kent State has won the last five games between these two schools, having a five-game winning streak in this rivalry.
The last meeting between both schools: The Golden Flashes defeated the RedHawks on the neutral court by a final score of 85-75.
Prediction: Kent State 85 Miami (OH) 63