Kansas State vs Michigan State Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 3/23/23

The Michigan State Spartans and the Kansas State Wildcats meet Thursday in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 college basketball action from Madison Square Garden. Kansas State sits at 25-9 overall this year. The Wildcats beat Kentucky in their Second Round matchup on Sunday. As for Michigan State, they’re 21-12 on the year and beat Marquette in their Sunday tournament game. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans managed a 19-11 record across the regular season. Michigan State went 3-1 to close out the year, but then lost to Ohio State in the first game of the Big Ten Tournament. The Spartans logged a 72-62 win over USC in their first NCAA Tournament matchup. 

In Sunday’s tournament game versus Marquette, the Spartans held a 33-28 edge in the locker room. Michigan State posted a 36-32 run from there and won it 69-60. Tyson Walker was the team’s top scorer with 23 points, and Joey Hauser doubled on 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

Kansas State Wildcats 

Over on the Kansas State side, they got through the regular season at 23-8 overall. The Wildcats didn’t have any luck in the Big 12 Tournament however, falling 80-67 to TCU in their first game. Kansas State bounced back with a 77-65 win over Montana State in the First Round of the national tournament. 

In Second Round NCAA Tournament action on Sunday, the Wildcats were up 29-26 going into the second half. Kansas State hit a 46-43 run from there and took the victory 75-69. Markquis Nowell led the team on 27 points with nine assists in the win. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably take a stab on Michigan State. The Spartans took out a good Marquette team on Sunday, shooting 44.4 percent from the field with a 38-33 rebounding advantage (12-11 offensive). Michigan State wasn’t great from outside however, going just 2-of-16 (12.5 percent) from 3-point range. Still, that makes 69 or more points in seven of their last eight appearances. As for Kansas State, they played a pretty well-rounded game versus Kentucky on Sunday, despite getting out-rebounded by a 44-25 (19-4 offensive) margin. The Wildcats ended up shooting 48.1 percent from the field however, and had just eight turnovers to Kentucky’s 16. If they’re not playing perfect basketball in this Sweet 16 matchup, I don’t think Kansas State will quite keep a cover/win pace. It’ll be a good one to watch, though.