The Big Ten will take center stage on Friday night when two in-state ranked rivals square off with more on the line than bragging rights. The No. 14 ranked Michigan State Spartans (21-5, 12-3 Big Ten) head to Ann Arbor to face the No. 12 ranked Michigan Wolverines (20-5, 12-2 Big Ten).
Michigan State has won three of its past four games, including strong wins over Illinois and Purdue during that stretch. The Spartans are winning with their signature tough defense, holding five of their past seven opponents under 70 total points.
Michigan is on a six-game winning streak, defeating Purdue and Oregon during their run as well. The Wolverines have won 11 of their past 13 outings, helping the squad rest alone atop the Big Ten standings.
Which of these two bitter rivals will emerge victorious on Friday night? We’ll cover that and our three favorite player prop bets for this contest.
Michigan Wolverines C Danny Wolf OVER 28.5 Total Pts + Reb + Ast
The Wolverines have a pair of trees in the paint with a duo of centers that both stand at least seven feet tall. Junior Danny Wolf is leading Michigan in rebounds, averaging a double-double with 12.9 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. He’s also averaging 3.6 assists per night to round out his role with the Wolverines.
Michigan State will be giving up a lot of size against Michigan. Expect the Wolverines to feed their bigs against the Spartans, giving both an opportunity to produce big games.
Bettors will be well served taking the over on this combo player prop bet as he’s finished with at least 29 combined points, rebounds, and assists in four of his past five outings.
Michigan State Spartans G Jaden Akins OVER 11.5 Points
Michigan State is led by senior guard Jaden Akins. The 6-foot-4 player is leading the Spartans with his 13.1 points per game this season, and he’s adding 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per night, too.
Michigan’s size will hurt the Spartans down low, but their guard play has not been as strong guarding against perimeter players. Akins should again lead his squad in points tonight, finishing with at least 12 to cover this player prop bet.
Michigan Wolverines C Vladislav Goldin OVER 6.5 Rebounds
The other seven-footer for the Wolverines is Vladislav Goldin. He’s leading Michigan in scoring this season, throwing in 15.7 points per night while finishing with 6.2 rebounds each game.
He’s currently tied with the sixth-best field goal percentage in the country, making 64 percent of his shots this season. Goldin has been golden going up against smaller lineups.
The senior transfer from Florida Atlantic has finished with at least six rebounds in eight of the past 10 games, only missing that mark against Purdue and Penn State this year. Bettors should expect him to finish with at least seven boards tonight, covering this player prop bet.
Best Bet: OVER 150.5 Points
It’s always a battle when the Spartans and Wolverines play each other as in-state bragging rights are on the line. Tonight’s contest features something perhaps more important as the winner of this Big Ten matchup will have sole possession of the conference’s top seed with just over two weeks remaining before the tournament.
Both teams enter this contest averaging at least 79 points per outing. While I believe that Michigan will win the matchup, the 3.5-point spread is a big figure to take in a contest that should be close throughout.
Expect both teams to score near their season averages point totals, giving bettors confidence to take the over on the combined score.
