- Michigan State battles North Carolina in Round 2 March Madness action
- The Saturday college basketball odds favor the Tar Heels over the Spartans
- Read below for MSU vs UNC prediction, odds, and player props for Saturday
Round 2 of March Madness gets underway this Saturday, featuring a matchup between the No. 9 Michigan State Spartans and the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels. This game is being played in Charlotte, with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 PM ET.
The Round 2 March Madness odds favor North Carolina in Charlotte, pricing the Tar Heels as 3.5-point spread favorites against the Spartans. The over/under is listed at 140.5 for a matchup featuring ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis.
Let’s get into our Michigan State vs North Carolina prediction, as we break down the game odds and determine the best player props to wager on.
Michigan State vs North Carolina Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | +3.5 (-105) | +150 | Over 140.5 (-105) |
| North Carolina | -3.5 (-115) | -175 | Under 140.5 (-115) |
In the MSU vs UNC odds, the Tar Heels are narrow -175 favorites on the moneyline, giving them implied win probability.
The Tar Heels are 5-0 all-time against Michigan State in NCAA Tournament play, most recently meeting in the 2009 national championship game in Detroit.
Odds as of March 22, at ESPN Bet North Carolina. With sports betting now live in the Tar Heel state, bettors in Charlotte can wager on this game at March Madness sportsbook apps!
Michigan State Betting Trends
Michigan State enters the second round of March Madness following a 69-51 win over number 8 seed Mississippi State in the opening round of the tourney. Tyson Walker scored 19 points, while Jaden Akins added 15 points and seven rebounds. Malik Hall scored 10 points.
The Spartans, who were in control the whole way, pushed the tempo early and jumped out to a 20-8 lead after hitting 4 of 7 shots from beyond the arc. As the Bulldogs were attempting to make a late comeback, the Spartans corralled two offensive rebounds to keep possessions alive and kill time off the clock.
Walker’s notable performance was typical for him, as he leads MSU with 18.2 points per game this season. Walker carries a significant part of the offensive load for a Michigan State team that doesn’t score a ton. The Spartans rank 189th in the nation at 73 ppg.
MSU went 19-14-1 ATS this season, with that mark dropping to 4-5-1 on the road. Their dominant defense led to the “under” cashing in 14 of their 28 contests. In their six natural site games, the under hit four times.
North Carolina Betting Trends
North Carolina enters Round 2 of March Madness following an impressive 90-62 victory over No. 16 Wagner in Round 1 of the tournament. Jae’Lyn Withers, a 6-foot-9 transfer from Louisville, had a season-high 16 points and matched a personal best with 10 rebounds.
UNC was a heavy 25-point favorite in the game, but thanks to a dominant second half, they managed to narrowly cover the spread. The disparity in talent was on full display, as the Seahawks had only seven scholarship-available players on the roster, with only one (Keyontae Lewis) boasting notable size.
NCAAT Top 5 🆚 Wagner 📼 pic.twitter.com/DCFGlF6xJc
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 22, 2024
While Jae’Lyn Withers was a breakout star in Round 1, the Tar Heels are led by the dynamic tandem of R.J. Davis and Bacot. Davis had 22 points in Thursday’s opening game and leads UNC at 21.7 points per game. Bacot went off with 20 points and 15 rebounds against Wagner and averages a double-double with 14.3 points and 10.3 boards per game.
UNC was a profitable team against the spread this season, covering in 20 of their 35 games (57%). Surprisingly, they were much better ATS on the road (7-3) than at home (8-7). The over/under almost hit equally, with the “over hitting in 17 games and the “under” cashing in 18.
MSU vs UNC Player Props
Player props for this March Madness showdown have been released at DraftKings North Carolina. RJ Davis unsurprisingly boasts the highest point total at 19.5. Armando Bacot is expected to have a big night along the glass, with his rebound prop sitting at 9.5.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.J. Hoggard | 10.5 (O -105 | U -135) | 3.5 (O +130 | U -170) | 5.5 (O +105 | U -145) | 0.5 (O -115 | U -125) |
| Armando Bacot | 13.5 (O -125 | U -115) | 9.5 (O -110 | U -130) | OFF | OFF |
| Cormac Ryan | 10.5 (O -125 | U -115) | 2.5 (O +100 | U -140) | OFF | 2.5 (O +125 | U -165) |
| Elliot Cadeau | 6.5 (O +105 | U -145) | 2.5 (O -105 | U -135) | 3.5 (O -130 | U -110) | OFF |
| Harrison Ingram | 10.5 (O -135 | U -105) | 8.5 (O -125 | U -115) | 2.5 (O +125 | U -165) | 1.5 (O +120 | U -160) |
| Jaden Akins | 10.5 (O -105 | U -135) | 3.5 (O -145 | U +105) | OFF | 1.5 (O -165 | U +125) |
| Malik Hall | 12.5 (O -130 | U -110) | 6.5 (O -120 | U -120) | OFF | OFF |
| RJ Davis | 19.5 (O -135 | U -105) | 3.5 (O +100 | U -140) | 3.5 (O -135 | U -105) | 2.5 (O -115 | U -125) |
| Tyson Walker | 16.5 (O -115 | U -125) | 3.5 (O +125 | U -165) | 3.5 (O +125 | U -165) | 1.5 (O -190 | U +145) |
Odds as of March. 22 at DraftKings North Carolina. Bettors in NC can now wager on March Madness player props by claiming the bonus below!
Michigan State vs North Carolina Prediction
The key thing to remember before making a Michigan State vs. North Carolina prediction is that this game is being played in Charlotte, likely resulting in a predominantly North Carolina fanbase in attendance. This will basically be a home game, especially given how much MSU fed off their fans’ energy in Round 1.
While we like North Carolina to win this game, we think the game total might also offer some value. Both these clubs rank top-10 in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency metrics, with the “under” cashing in four of MSU’s last five games.
Michigan State plays at one of the slowest paces in the league, and they will look to slow things down against this fast-paced UNC team. During this “under” run for the Spartans, the team is only allowing 59.8 points per game. Michigan State has also limited opponents to an average of 16 free throw attempts per game in that span.
We think the Tar Heels are being a bit underestimated here, as we have the spread projected closer to five points. For our MSU vs UNC prediction, we’re forecasting a Tar Heels cover and the game falling under the total of 140.5.
MSU vs UNC Picks:
- North Carolina -3.5 (-110)
- Under 140.5 Points (-140)
Make sure you check out the best North Carolina sportsbook promos before locking in these MSU vs UNC bets!
On March 22, college basketball fans will be treated to an exciting matchup between the Michigan State Spartans and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Both teams have had successful seasons so far, and this game is sure to be a competitive one.
When it comes to predicting the outcome of this game, it’s important to consider a few key factors. Michigan State has a strong defense, led by standout players like Aaron Henry and Joey Hauser. They also have a balanced scoring attack, with multiple players capable of putting up big numbers on any given night.
On the other hand, North Carolina has a potent offense, led by star guard Caleb Love. The Tar Heels also have a size advantage in the frontcourt, with players like Armando Bacot and Day’Ron Sharpe dominating the boards.
In terms of odds, Michigan State is currently listed as a slight favorite in this matchup. The Spartans have been playing well down the stretch, while North Carolina has had some ups and downs throughout the season.
For those looking to bet on this game, there are a number of player props to consider. Aaron Henry is always a solid bet to lead Michigan State in scoring, while Caleb Love is a safe bet to do the same for North Carolina. Other players to keep an eye on include Joey Hauser, Armando Bacot, and Day’Ron Sharpe.
Overall, this game has all the makings of a classic March Madness matchup. Both teams have the talent and experience to make a deep run in the tournament, and this game could be a preview of things to come. Fans and bettors alike will be eagerly watching to see which team comes out on top in this highly anticipated showdown.
