Michigan vs Michigan State: 3 Player Props and Best Bet for January 30

The Big Ten is earning national attention on Friday as two of its top-ranked teams collide. The No. 3-ranked Michigan Wolverines (19-1, 9-1 Big Ten) head to East Lansing to face off against the No. 7-ranked Michigan State Spartans (19-2, 9-1 Big Ten) for an intense in-state battle.

Michigan started the season with 14 straight wins, including victories over No. 21-ranked Auburn and No. 12-ranked Gonzaga. On Tuesday, the Wolverines earned their biggest victory thus far with a 75-72 takedown of No. 5-ranked Nebraska.

The Spartans have faced a who’s-who of the sport this season, taking on five ranked opponents through their first 21 games. After posting wins over Arkansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina, Michigan State has dropped its last two contests against ranked opponents, falling to both Nebraska and Duke.

Which Big Ten team will emerge as the conference’s front-runner with a victory on Friday? We’ll cover that and provide bettors with our top three player props for this in-state rivalry.

Michigan State Spartans’ Jeremy Fears Jr. OVER 13.5 Points

The Spartans are led by Jeremy Fears Jr. The 6-foot-2 guard is averaging a team-high 14.1 points and 8.9 assists per outing, showcasing his play-making abilities. His assist total is second in the country heading into Friday’s showdown.

Fears poured in 29 points for Michigan State on Tuesday, helping his team earn an 88-79 overtime victory over Rutgers. It’s the ninth consecutive contest he’s posted at least 14 points. While scoring will be at a premium in this matchup, bettors should take Fears to cover his prop total.

Michigan Wolverines’ Yaxel Lendeborg OVER 6.5 Rebounds

Senior Yaxel Lendeborg is a beast for the Wolverines. The 6-foot-9 transfer has stepped into his role with Michigan with ease, posting 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.1 assists for Michigan through 20 games.

In four of his past seven outings, Lendeborg has been the leading rebounder for his team, notching at least six boards in all but one of those games. That’s why bettors should expect him to finish with at least seven rebounds on Friday, covering his prop wager total.

Michigan Wolverines’ Morez Johnson Jr. UNDER 19.5 Pts + Reb

Morez Johnson, Jr. is the other half of Michigan’s fantastic forward combination. The 6-foot-9 sophomore is averaging 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds, and he’s ranked third in the country with a 69.3 field goal percentage.

The Spartans have the size to match Michigan. Bettors should expect a physical game, one that will test the Wolverines’ ability to score. That’s the only reason why Johnson is a good bet to finish under this combo prop wager total.

Best Bet: Michigan State (+1.5)

Multiple sportsbooks have Michigan as one of this year’s favorites to win a national championship. Currently, the Wolverines are 6-to-1 favorites to earn the title, trailing only top-ranked Arizona on multiple futures’ sites.

Still, you can’t discount their opponents. Tom Izzo has always prepared his Spartans by playing the best slate possible. This season is no different, and Michigan State will not be intimidated by this highly anticipated rivalry game. Bettors should expect the Spartans win Friday’s game inside the Breslin Center.