If you look at history, look no further than Michigan State as they hold an all-time 10-2 record against Marquette. But when the two teams play on Sunday, Shaka Smart and the Golden Eagles will be slight favorites at No. 2 against Tom Izzo’s Spartans.
Both teams handled business fairly easily in their opening games, though the Spartans struggled on the stretch with their free throws and shot 60 percent from the charity streak — well below the 76.2 percent mark they’ve achieved this season.
Marquette’s Tyler Kolek was kept in check Friday after suffering a thumb injury and he will be a crucial factor for Marquette to transition to his first Sweet 16 appearance since 2013.
If Kolek is healthy, Michigan State, ranked 38th in adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom, will need to contain Marquette’s offense, which KenPom ranks 6th.
Marquette, who reported on the spread Friday, is 23-12 against the spread this season. Michigan State pulled to 16-16 against the spread after covering against USC.
Should Michigan State earn a trip to the Sweet 16, it will be Sweet 16’s 20th appearance in school history and first since 2019.
What: East Region, second round
Typing time: 5:15 p.m. ET Sunday
TV: CBS
Location: National Arena, Columbus
Odds between Marquette and Michigan State
The odds come from BetMGM and are updated live.
expert selection
Model projection: Marquette by 2.8, total 143.4
Check out Austin Mock’s best second round bets
to see players
Marquette
Tyler Kolek, Junior Guard, Big East Player of the Year
Kam Jones, guard sophomore, All-Big East Second Team
Oso Ighodaro, Junior Forward, All-Big East Second Team
State of Michigan
Tyson Walker, Senior Guard, All-Big Ten Second Team
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(Photo by Stevie Mitchell: Dylan Buell/Getty Images)