Tonight, the Sweet Sixteen will tip off in one of the meccas of basketball, with Michigan State and Kansas State tangling in an East Regional semifinal at Madison Square Garden (6:30 pm ET, TBS).
The seventh-seeded Spartans (21-12) are in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since reaching the Final Four in 2019, while the third-seeded Wildcats (25-9) have reached this round for the first time since 2018.
Who will move on to face either Tennessee or FAU in Saturday’s regional final? Read on for our Michigan State vs Kansas State prediction and picks.
Looking for More College Basketball Picks?
Over the next few couple of weeks, we will have predictions and picks for men’s and women’s March Madness, as well as the NIT.
- Arkansas vs UConn Prediction & Picks (West Regional Semifinal)
- FAU vs Tennessee Prediction & Picks (East Regional Semifinal)
And if you are interested in checking out picks for the games we don’t cover, there are a number of reputable sports handicapping services that we recommend.
One of those sources is Doc’s Sports, which has a great offer going right now.
Doc’s Sports offers a lot of free picks and content, but they also offer $60 worth of premium sports picks free for new premium signups.
Michigan State vs Kansas State Odds
Odds are via BetOnline as of Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Spread
- Michigan State -1.5 (-110)
- Kansas State +1.5 (-110)
Over/Under
- Over 137.5 (-105)
- Under 137.5 (-115)
Moneyline
- Michigan State -122
- Kansas State +102
Will Perimeter Shooting Pick Up for Michigan State?
Under Tom Izzo, Michigan State has quite the formidable record in this round. In 14 previous Sweet Sixteen appearances under Izzo, the Spartans have advanced 10 times, including each of the past three opportunities.
To keep that success going this year, the Spartans may need more from outside than they got in their first two tournament games against USC (5 of 14, 35.7%) and Marquette (2 of 16, 12.5%).
That Michigan State won both of those games without getting much from the perimeter is no small thing. Prior to the NCAA Tournament, Michigan State was 0-8 SU this season when making five or fewer three-pointers, including their Big Ten Tournament loss to Ohio State (3 of 16, 18.8%).
If things go as they have gone throughout this season, there will be a timely improvement tonight. To date, the Spartans have not gone more than three games this season without making at least seven three-pointers.
And if they make at least seven threes, a win is likely. When making seven or more threes this season, the Spartans are 17-3 SU, losing only to Northwestern (home), Michigan (away), and Iowa (away).
Does all this point to a big game for New York City native Tyson Walker?
Three-Pointer Props for Tyson Walker (Michigan State)
BetOnline
- To Make 2+ Threes: +104
- To Make 3+ Threes: +360
Bovada Sportsbook
- Over 1.5 Threes (-110)
- Under 1.5 Threes (-133)
Walker scored 23 points in the win over Marquette, but he is only 2 of 13 from three in his last four games. He has made two or more threes in 19 games this season.
There’s also a lot to like about perimeter props for Joey Hauser as well.
Three-Pointer Props for Joey Hauser (Michigan State)
BetOnline
- To Make 3+ Threes: -112
- To Make 4+ Threes: +235
Bovada Sportsbook
- Over 2.5 Threes (+117)
- Under 2.5 Threes (-173)
Hauser had 14 points and 10 rebounds against his former school in the second round, but he was only 1 of 3 from three. In the 12 previous instances this season in which he made either no threes or one three, he has made three or more threes in the following game six times.
Michigan State vs Kansas State Prediction and Picks
Prediction for Michigan State vs Kansas State: Michigan State to win
Picks for Michigan State vs Kansas State: Michigan State ML (Best Value: BetOnline) & Michigan State team total over 69.5 (Best Value: BetOnline)
Where to Bet on Michigan State vs Kansas State
Here are four legal sports betting sites that we highly recommend and have reviewed, where you can bet on this year’s NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments, as well as the 2023 NIT.
March is always a very popular time to bet on college basketball, and you can get in on the action at any of the top sports betting sites out there.
But these four books are all reputable names, and you can trust them with your betting funds.
Other March Madness Content at Betting News
If you’d like to check out our other NIT and March Madness betting content, here’s a rundown of what we have put together to help you with your college basketball betting until the season wraps up in Houston on April 3.
- NIT Bracket & Odds
- Men’s March Madness Bracket
- March Madness Odds
- Women’s March Madness Bracket & Odds
- Final Four Odds
- March Madness Sleepers
- March Madness Betting Trends & Stats to Know for 2023
- Where to Find the Best March Madness Betting Picks
- Best March Madness Betting Sites
- Best March Madness Bracket Challenges
- Betting News Bracket Mania (Our FREE March Madness Bracket Challenge! – CLOSED but you can look at the standings and entries)