Game: (667) Michigan St. (1-1) vs (668) Seton Hall (2-0)
Time: Thurs. 11/14/2019 8:30 PM EST at Prudential Center
Spread: Michigan St -6 ML: -240/+200 Total: 143.5 at 5Dimes
Tools: Public Consensus | View Matchups | Bet This Game
The #3 Michigan State Spartans head to New Jersey to battle the #12 Seton Hall Pirates in a Big Ten, Big East showdown as part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games. The Spartans enter this contest with a (1-1) record, beating the Binghamton Bearcats 100-47. The Pirates are (2-0), after coming off a win against the Stony Brook Seawolves, 74-57. Both teams are facing some serious issues right now. Mainly the status of their star players, in question. Seton Hall might without senior guard Myles Powell, who suffered an ankle sprain Saturday game against Stony Brook. Powell averaged over 23 ppg last season including a school-record 107 3-pointers. Spartans star Cassius Winston is dealing with the unexpected death of his younger brother over the weekend.
MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
Michigan State is expected to be missing Joshua Langford, who is out until at least January with a foot injury. Cassius Winston is expected to travel with Michigan State and play on Thursday, The Spartans haven’t shot it well from deep, no matter the opponent. They are 12-for-51 beyond the arc this season. They’ve also gotten surprisingly strong play from lanky reserve big man Marcus Bingham Jr., who’s averaging 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks through two games.
SETON HALL PIRATES
The Pirates return 85 percent of their minutes played from last season and their front line of Romaro Gill and Sandro Mamukelashvili runs 7-2 and 6-11, respectively, with a 7-2 center coming off the bench and more options that run 6-11, 6-10 and 6-9. The Pirates have plenty of size that could give them a significant edge in the paint. Junior forward Sandro Mamukelashvili stands at 6’11 and averages 14 p/g. 7’2 center Romaro Gill averages nine points p/g. Ike Obiagu, another 7’2 center, comes off the bench and averages 7.5 p/g. Junior forward Sandro Mamukelashvili is now leading Seton Hall with 14 points a game, while senior guard Quincy McKnight is averaging 12 points and 5 assists while shooting 44.4 percent from 3-point range.
Seton Hall point guard Quincy McKnight is a tough on-the-ball defender. It will be interesting to see if he can handle a guard like Cassius Winston. Romaro Gill is expected to start, but it’s another 7-2 center, 265-pound Ike Obiagu, that could cause MSU the most grief. He can be a defensive roadblock. This game is going to be a test of strength and will for Thomas Kithier, Bingham and Malik Hall.
Extra Notes/Summary
Seton Hall could have trouble putting up points as they face off against one of the country’s best defenses. Michigan State ranks 24th in defensive efficiency, while the Pirates rank 142nd in offensive efficiency dating back to the 2018-19 season. The two preseason All-Americans were supposed to make this one of the top non-conference matchups of the year, but instead, neither will be up to speed and maybe not even playing. That should lower the scoring total quite a bit and bring this one under. If Powell plays they have a great shot at covering and possibly win outright. If he does not play, this should still be a tough road game for Michigan State, but they will get the job done with their defense and keep it low scoring. Michigan State will have their hands full against a Seton Hall team that has had this game circled. Even without Powell, they will put up a fight, but if you see him take the court, and I think you will, they will be fighting not only to cover but to also win outright.
Matchup Data Points to: Seton Hall, Under
Fade the Public points to: Seton Hall, Over
TRENDS:
- 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games as a road favorite.
- 13-3 ATS in its last 16 games following a straight-up win by 20 or more points.
- 6-1 ATS in its last seven games.
- The under is 5-1 in Spartans last 6 overall.
- Pirates are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
- Pirates are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
- The over is 4-1 in Pirates last 5 overall.
- Michigan State is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 on the road
- The UNDER has cashed in 8 of the Spartans last 9 versus Big East opponents
- Seton Hall is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 at home
- The OVER has cashed in 4 of the Pirates last 5