- Michigan State will face North Carolina in the second round of the NCAA Tournament
- The Tar Heels are slight favorites over the Spartans in a de facto home game
- See opening Michigan State vs North Carolina odds and point spread
The second-round matchups at the 2024 NCAA Tournament have started to filter in. The first game of the round of 32 will feature the #8 Michigan State Spartans facing the #1 UNC Tar Heels at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC, a de facto home game for UNC.
The #1 seed in the West Region, the Tar Heels have opened as favorites over the #9 Spartans in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but it’s not a big margin.
Michigan State vs North Carolina Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| #9 Michigan State | +3.5 (-110) | TBD | TBD |
| #1 North Carolina | -3.5(-110) | TBD | TBD |
UNC is just a 3.5-point “neutral court” favorite in Charlotte, NC. The moneyline and game total are still to be determined.
Odds as of March 21 at FanDuel. Check out the best college basketball betting apps to wager on March Madness.
Michigan State Demolishes Mississippi State in First Round
Michigan State was ultra-impressive in its first-round matchup with Mississippi State, crushing the Bulldogs 69-51 in a game they also led by seven at halftime. Star guard Tyson Walker had a team-high 19 in the win, but it was MSU’s defense that sealed the victory, holding Mississippi State to 37% from the field while forcing 14 turnovers.
Thursday’s win was an encouraging sign that the Spartans may finally be starting to live up to preseason expectations. Returning most of the key pieces from a team that reached the Sweet 16 last year, MSU was rated #13 at KenPom to start the year and #4 in both the AP and Coaches Polls.
But MSU started the season a sluggish 4-5 and only managed a 10-10 record in Big Ten play. The Spartans bowed out to Purdue in the quarters of the Big Ten Tournament.
Their only game against an ACC opponent this season was a 75-65 neutral-court loss to Duke in Chicago.
North Carolina Too Big for Wagner
UNC, meanwhile, took care of business against #16 Wagner, taking a 12-point lead into halftime and cruising to a 90-62 win. Senior forward Armando Bacot had a monstrous double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds as UNC more than doubled-up the Seahawks on the glass (41-20).
Armando Bacot MUSCLES one in 💪#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/FoXDMQ5bOV
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 21, 2024
Leading scorer RJ Davis (21.4 PPG) slightly exceeded his average with a game-high 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting.
North Carolina (+260) remains the second-favorite to win the West Region in the 2024 Final Four odds, trailing #2 Arizona (+200). Sparty improved to +1100 after beating Mississippi State.
Expected Michigan State vs North Carolina Line Movement
Michigan State is going to have its share of backers the way the Spartans ran over Mississippi State. But I still expect this line to move towards the Tar Heels over the next 48 hours. UNC swept Duke in their two-game season series – a Blue Devil team that beat MSU by nine – and will be playing in front of a very friendly crowd in Charlotte.
In a highly anticipated second round matchup, the Michigan State Spartans will face off against the North Carolina Tar Heels in what is expected to be a thrilling game. The Tar Heels are currently favored by 3.5 points, but both teams are coming into this game with impressive records and high expectations.
The Spartans, led by head coach Tom Izzo, finished the regular season with a 22-9 record and secured a spot in the NCAA tournament after a strong showing in the Big Ten conference. They are known for their tough defense and ability to grind out wins in close games. Senior guard Aaron Henry has been a standout player for Michigan State this season, averaging 15.3 points per game and providing leadership on both ends of the court.
On the other side, the Tar Heels have had a successful season under head coach Roy Williams, finishing with a 22-6 record and earning a spot in the NCAA tournament as well. North Carolina is known for their fast-paced offense and ability to score in transition. Freshman guard Caleb Love has been a key player for the Tar Heels, averaging 10.5 points per game and providing a spark off the bench.
Both teams have faced tough competition throughout the season and have proven themselves to be capable of making deep runs in the tournament. The matchup between Michigan State and North Carolina is sure to be a close and exciting game, with both teams looking to advance to the next round.
While the Tar Heels are favored by 3.5 points, this game could easily go either way. Michigan State has a history of performing well in March Madness, while North Carolina has the talent and experience to come out on top. Fans can expect a competitive and high-energy game between these two powerhouse programs.
