Michigan State vs Northwestern College Basketball Game Picks 12/18/2019

Game: Michigan State Spartans vs Northwestern Wildcats

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, IL

TV: BTN

Odds/Point Spread: Northwestern +11

Total/Over-Under: 138

The Michigan State Spartans head to Welsh-Ryan Arena to take on the Northwestern Wildcats on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. The opening line for this game has Michigan State as 11 point favorites.

Michigan State heads into this matchup with a mark of 7-3. They currently have a point differential of 13.6 as they are averaging 79.0 points per contest while giving up 65.4 per game. Northwestern has an overall mark of 5-4. They are averaging 66.0 points per contest and giving up 62.1, which is a point differential of 3.9.

Valuable Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 3-7-0 against the spread this season

The Michigan State Spartans are 5-5-0 against the over/under this year

Important Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 3-5-0 against the spread this season

The Northwestern Wildcats are 4-3-1 against the over/under this year

Key Michigan State Spartans Injuries

12/16/19 G Rocket Watts Leg is doubtful
11/13/19 F Joey Hauser Eligibility is out for season
11/05/19 G Joshua Langford Foot is out indefinitely

Key Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

12/16/19 F Pete Nance Suspension Served missed last game, is probable

Player Spotlight

Cassius Winston comes into this game averaging 16.9 points per contest while playing 31.0 minutes per night this year. He grabs 2.1 rebounds per contest and distributes 5.9 assists per game. His FG percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage is 88%. Xavier Tillman averages 12.9 points per contest in 30.6 minutes per game. He averages 2.6 assists per game and 10.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 55% for the season while his free throw percentage is 61%.

Player Spotlight

Pete Nance scores 11.9 points per contest while playing 31.1 minutes per game. He hauls in 7.5 rebounds per contest and has 1.5 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is at 88%. Ryan Young averages 11.0 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 26.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 6.7 rebounds per game and has 1.7 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 62% and his free throw percentage is 60%.

Useful Team Statistics

Michigan State averages 79.0 points per contest, which is 49th in D-1. Their average scoring margin is 13.6 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 79th. From 3-point territory they shoot 31%, which is good for 250th in the nation. They average 41.9 boards per contest and 18.8 assists per game, which ranks them 19th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 267th with 12.4 per game. The Spartans allow 65.4 points per contest, which is 108th in the NCAA. They also surrender a 38% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 41st and 158th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 32.2 rebounds a game which ranks 68th, and they allow 12.4 assists per game which puts them in 175th place in the country. They force 13.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 107th in Division 1.

Useful Team Statistics

Northwestern is 294th in the nation with 66.0 points per contest this season. They are 269th in the country in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is 3.9. They shoot 30% from beyond the arc, which is good for 295th in the NCAA. They are 177th in D-1 in rebounding with 36.4 boards per contest and 160th in assists per game with 13.6. The Wildcats are 302nd in turnovers per contest with 11.9. The Wildcats give up 62.1 points per game, which ranks them 49th in Division 1. Their defense surrenders a 40% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 110th and 70th in those defensive statistics. They rank 271st with 14.0 dimes allowed per game and 100th with 33.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Wildcats are 36th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 11.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Spartans are 39th in the nation in offensive rating with 110.5. In terms of pace they are 130th in the country with 71.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 108th. As a team they are 81st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 188th in Division 1. Michigan State is 291st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.9 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Northwestern is 259th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.6 times per 100 possessions. The Wildcats have an offensive rating of 99.2, which is ranked 227th. They are 308th in D-1 in pace with 66.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 294th. As a unit they are 247th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 235th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Michigan State/Northwestern college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Michigan State -11

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