Michigan State and Wisconsin are already clear to make the NCAA Tournament, barring absolute catastrophe. But neither have given up the chase for a Big Ten regular season title, either.
At the start of the week, both teams were tied for their places in the conference. Michigan State was tied with rival Michigan for first place at 13-3, while Wisconsin was locked into a battle for third with Maryland at 11-5.
Since then, Wisconsin coasted to a win over Washington, while the Spartans shocked Maryland thanks to a half-court buzzer beater at game's end.
How to watch Michigan State vs. Wisconsin
- Date: Sunday, March 2
- Time: 1:30pm ET
- Venue: Beslin Center in East Lansing, MI
- How to Watch (TV): CBS
- Streaming: fubo TV
- Michigan State record: 23-5
- Wisconsin record: 22-6
Michigan State vs. Wisconsin odds, spread and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Moneyline
- Wisconsin +164
- Michigan State -200
Spread
- Wisconsin +4.5 (-110)
- Michigan State -4.5 (-110)
Total
- 146.5 (over -110/under -110)
Michigan State injury report
- N/A
Wisconsin injury report
- Max Klesmit, G: Questionable (leg)
- Camren Hunter, G: Questionable
Michigan State and Wisconsin series history
- Michigan State all-time record vs. Wisconsin: 80-62
Michigan State vs. Wisconsin prediction
The big question for this game will be motivation. Both teams are comfortably in the NCAA Tournament field and are in good shape to receive a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament, though Wisconsin needs to do more work to ensure that.
Michigan State being at home is obviously a massive advantage. The Spartans have only lost one game at home all season. It's not something they do often during the Tom Izzo era.
Both teams are also coming in hot, each losing only once in their last five games. The Spartans are on a four-game winning, holding each of their opponents in those contests to 66 points or fewer.
While the Spartans have the home court and the ranking advantage, many advanced metrics sites give the Badgers a loftier position in the country than Michigan State. These teams may be closer than they appear on paper, and they already appear pretty close.
Just take a look at some of the KenPom numbers. Wisconsin ranks first in the Big Ten in offensive efficiency, while Michigan State ranks third. When it comes to defensive efficiency, those rankings are flipped. There's simply little to separate the two teams.
In situations where teams are on roughly level footing, it helps to look at where the game is being played and who is leading the teams out into battle. In both categories, the advantage clearly falls on the Spartans. Not only are they at home, but Tom Izzo is one of the greatest of all time. Greg Gard is proving that he deserves more respect than he sometimes gets on a national level, but he's no Izzo.
Prediction: Michigan State 68, Wisconsin 60