The No. 2 Michigan State Spartans and North Florida Ospreys will clash at Jack Breslin Student Events Center to start their seasons. Action starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 10, 2017.
North Florida Ospreys vs. Michigan State Spartans ATS Preview
Michigan State reached the Second Round last season as a nine seed in the tournament, where the Kansas Jayhawks defeated them. In the regular season, the Spartans went 19-14. North Florida, meanwhile, failed to make the tournament following a 15-19 regular season campaign.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Michigan State should have a substantial advantage. Last season, the Spartans offense ranked 47th in that metric at 0.540, while the North Florida defense ranked 203rd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.508). It will also be a tale of two styles as the up-tempo Ospreys ranked 39th in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Spartans ranked 256th.
The Ospreys were 15-19 straight up (SU) last season, but had a difficult time covering the spread (3-3-1 against the spread (ATS)). North Florida games have a tendency to finish under the O/U total (71.4 percent).
On the other side, the Spartans owned records of 19-14 SU and 18-16 ATS last season. Vegas was spot on when predicting totals of Michigan State games last year with an even split between overs and unders.
North Florida Ospreys vs. Michigan State Spartans Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – North Florida, ATS Winner – North Florida, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Ospreys rank 30th in rebounds per game (38.9) while the Spartans rank 128th (36.4).
- Michigan State averages 4.6 blocks per game, which ranks 43rd in the NCAA. North Florida ranks 134th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
- Michigan State ranks 15th in assists per game (16.9) while North Florida ranks 266th in assists allowed per game (15.0).
- The Ospreys rank 39th in three pointers attempted per game (24.7) while the Spartans rank 171st (20.9).
- Michigan State ranks 121st in steals allowed per game (6.0) while North Florida ranks 251st (8.0).
