Game Time: 4:30 PM ET, Tuesday, December 21st, 2021

Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan

Where to Watch:  ESPN +

 

DraftKings Sportsbook:  NL

Caesars:  Spread: NL

VegasInsider:  Spread: NL

BetOnline: Spread: NL

 

Michigan State: 2-0 conf, 9-2 overall (Big Ten) 

Oakland: 2-0 conf, 7-3 overall (Horizon) 

#11 Michigan State is on a four-game winning streak, beating Penn State, Minnesota, Louisville, and Toledo. Just before that however they lost to the #1 Baylor Bears by a final score of 75-58.  Their other loss this season has been to the #7 Kansas Jayhawks 87-74.  Michigan State is a good team and they are getting battle tested early by playing the bigger kids on the block.  Also among the 9 wins there has really only been 2 close games.. A 63-61 win over Loyola and a 64-60 win over Connecticut.  They can handle a big point spread as they are favored over Oakland from the Horizon league.  

Oakland has never beaten Michigan State in 19 tries dating back decades.  They came really close in December of 2015 when Oakland pushed then #1 Michigan State to overtime on a dramatic final regulation shot that rimmed out and lead to Oakland hitting 2 free throws to earn that overtime. That close game in 2015 came the same week Michigan State star Denzel Valentine had knee surgery… so, Oakland does need help.  It’s tough to bill this matchup as a rivalry if Oakland has never won it… but it is fun to wonder if #20 will be the lucky number?  Oakland lost their last game to Bowling Green by a heartbreaking final score of 73-72… and two other losses this season have been against: West Virginia and #10 Alabama… and they lost to Alabama by 27 points.

 

Ben Burns is 15-5 the past three days overall and that includes a 9-1 RECORD with his "top-rated" (10*) plays, in all sports. Even better, his 10* rated basketball plays are on a longterm heater which has produced $110,870 IN PROFIT. More of the same in store for Monday, as Ben is STEPPING OUT BIG. This is a game he's had circled. Do NOT miss out! Get Ben Burns’ pick!!  It's available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers. All your NCAA basketball needs for the entire college basketball season!

Michigan State is 9-2 on the season, but 7-3-1 ATS.  They have logged 5 Overs, 5 Unders, and 1 Push.  They are 2-2 at neutral sites.

Oakland is 7-3 on the season and 7-3 ATS.  They have notched 3 Overs and 7 Unders.  They are 3-0 at neutral sites.

Michigan State is 132nd in points with 74 per game, 34th in rebounds with 37.5 per game, and 149th in AST/TO ratio with 1.1.  They have a middle of the road FG% of 45.7% for 117th in the nation, but they are bombing away from behind the arc with 38.5% 3PT% for 29th in the nation.

Oakland is 234th in points per game with 69.9, 217th in rebounds with 32.4 per, 308th in AST/TO 0.8.  They are not shooting that well at all. 267th in FG% with 42.2%, 352nd in 3PT% with 25.8%.  They are a quality free throw team though 29th in the league with 77.3%.

 

Michigan State’s defense is the real deal.  They are 88th in the nation in points defense by allowing only 63.9 per game, in defending shooter they are 29th in FG% and 23rd in 3PT%

Oakland plays OK defense and are now 135th in defense while only allowing 66.2 ppg.  

Our prediction for Tuesday, December 21st, is… Michigan State 81 - Oakland 62

Michigan State is loaded and ready to go.  Oakland will fall easily.

 

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Michigan State is 6-5 ATS versus Oakland since 1997.

Oakland is 1-1 ATS versus Michigan State the last 3 seasons.

1 of 2 games in this series have gone Over the last 3 seasons.

Michigan State: Tyson Walker, Max Christie, Joey Hauser, Marcus Bingham Jr, Gabe Brown

Oakland: Jamal Cain, Micah Parrish, Trey Townsend, Chris Conway, Jalen Moore

Michigan State

Points: Gabe Brown 13.3

Assists: Tyson Walker 5.1

Rebounds: Marcus Bingham Jr 7.6

Steals: Tyson Walker 1.3

Blocks: Marcus Bingham Jr 2.8

Oakland

Points: Jamal Cain 21.2

Assists: Jalen Moore 6.9

Rebounds: Jamal Cain 10.5

Steals: Jamal Cain 2.3

Blocks: Trey Townsend 1.4

Michigan State:  Tom Izzo.  Coach Izzo is a college basketball legend.  He has had the head basketball coaching job at Michigan State since 1995.  He won the tournament in 2000 and has made 8 Final Fours.  He was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.  His Michigan State record is 652-256.

Oakland: Greg Kampe.  Coach Kampe was born the same year as Coach Izzo.  He got the head coaching job at Oakland in 1984.  Forever and a day.  His Oakland Career mark is 647-493.  He has made the NCAA round of 64 just once.  This team has been built by coach Kampe from a D-2 school completely unheard of… To a D-1 Horizon conference school in place to play the Michigan State’s of the world.  He is also a legend.