In Tuesday’s highly anticipated NCAA Basketball matchup, the Michigan State Spartans are set to face off against the Duke Blue Devils in the inaugural game of the 2023 Champions Classic in Chicago. Following this game, the top ranked Kansas Jayhawks will clash with the Kentucky Wildcats.
Both teams enter this contest with a single win and a loss in the early stages of the season. Michigan State and Duke share identical 1-1 records, with the Spartans recovering from an opening defeat against James Madison by securing a victory over Southern Indiana. On the other side, Duke dominated Dartmouth but succumbed to a formidable Arizona squad last Friday. Duke enters this game as -3.5 favorites.
Blue Devils Coming off a Loss
The recent upset of the Duke Blue Devils on their home court has been a significant storyline of the season, albeit against a formidable opponent in Arizona. The Blue Devils, knowing they are in for a challenge, took this loss as a chance to grow rather than a setback with postseason implications. Now, Duke faces the tough task of bouncing back swiftly against the physically imposing Spartans.
At the front of the Duke offensive efforts is Kyle Filipowski, contributing an impressive 25 points per game despite playing fewer than 30 minutes per game. Tyrese Proctor assumes a crucial role as the offensive leader, averaging 6.5 assists per game from the point guard position. Notably, Duke struggles on the boards, averaging 33 rebounds per game, placing them near the bottom among all college basketball teams.
Duke, initially ranked #2, has slipped to the 9th position in the latest Associated Press poll. The upcoming schedule for the Blue Devils includes matchups against Bucknell, LaSalle, and Southern Indiana, providing an opportunity to regroup and regain momentum.
Izzo Time in East Lansing
Tom Izzo remains at the helm of the Michigan State Spartans, guiding yet another talented roster. Izzo’s teams are known for their tenacity on the boards, a critical factor if they are to beat Duke in Chicago, as the Spartans boast an impressive average of over 42 rebounds per game.
Leading the scoring for the Spartans is Tyson Walker, contributing 24.5 points per game in nearly 32 minutes of play. Tre Holloman, while not a primary scorer, significantly influences games through his adept distribution skills, averaging four assists per game.
The Spartans have upcoming matchups against Butler and Alcorn State before a pivotal clash with Arizona on November 23rd. Their Big Ten campaign kicks off on December 5th at home against Wisconsin, with Michigan State’s basketball odds to win the conference remaining robust, just behind Purdue.
Michigan State Tops Duke
We anticipate a great game here. In the end, the toughness and experience of the Michigan State Spartans is going to shine through. Their first loss of the season was a wake up call, while Duke is still smarting a bit from their home loss. The Spartans not only cover the spread, but win this game straight up. The Spartans hit some big shots late and win. Take Michigan State +3.5 over Duke.
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