The whole college basketball world is talking about crafty point guard Markquis Nowell’s return to New York City (all the way from Manhattan), but in order to make it through to the Elite 8, he’ll need to make Tom Izzo snap a few more whiteboards. Kansas State vs Michigan State promises to be an enthralling matchup, even if most amateur bracketologists probably thought they’d see Tyler Kolek in this spot.
The last two times the Regional Semis/Final of the NCAA Tournament were held at Madison Square Garden, a No. 7 seed advanced all the way through to the Final Four. The South Carolina Gamecocks topped Florida in 2017, and Izzo’s Spartans were beaten by Shabazz Napier and the UConn Huskies back in 2014. Can Izzo get his long-heated revenge on an entirely different program under the very same lights?
How to watch Kansas State vs Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
Date: Thursday, March 23
Time: 6:30 pm ET
Channel: TBS
Streaming: NCAA March Madness Live
Announcers: Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, Allie LaForce
The winner of this one will face off against the victor from Tennessee/FAU in Saturday’s Elite 8 matchup.
Kansas State vs Michigan State NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 odds
According to FanDuel, Michigan State is favored by 1.5 points, and K-State is -104 to cover that spread; MSU is -118 to win by two points or more. You can also grab Michigan State on the moneyline at -130 and Kansas State at +108, which could provide a juicy underdog opportunity as the higher seed.
The over/under has been set at 137.5, with both the over and under available at -110 odds.
Kansas State vs Michigan State NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 prediction
I’m going to buck conventional wisdom here; Izzo’s group, led by Joey Hauser’s hot shooting and big man Mady Sissoko, has been far too inconsistent all year to project much confidence, especially as the Big Ten’s final representative. Meanwhile, doesn’t it feel like long-time assistant Jerome Tang has the Wildcats vibing at the perfect level right now? Expect a 30-point show-ell from Nowell.
Prediction: Kansas State 74, Michigan State 70