Tom Izzo confounded his critics this year with an outstanding season that flipped the script in the Big Ten. Most important of all, Izzo’s Spartans printed money as a March Madness lines boss. Now gamblers are believing again and looking for a deep March Madness run. The question is if Michigan State will catch anyone off guard anymore. When the season began, there were plenty of questions about the Michigan State Spartans. Even more pronounced were the doubts about head coach Tom Izzo, who seemed to be slipping and at a point where he should retire.
2025 NCAA Tournament First Round Michigan State Spartans vs. Bryant Bulldogs
| Date and Time: | Friday, March 21, 2025, 10 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH |
| TV Coverage: | TBS |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryant | +17½ -115 | 152½ -110 | +1150 |  |
| MIchigan State | -17½ -105 | 152½ -110 | -2500 | |
| ||||
Bryant Bulldogs Team Overview
Late on, Bryant has covered four of its previous five games and has gone under the online betting total in three of its last four outings. Rafael Pinzon is first among Bryant scorers with 18.5 points per game.
Overall, the Bryant Bulldogs are 23-11 straight up, 13-16 against the spread, and 14-14 over/under the total. Bryant has national metrics of 21st for scoring offense, 129th for field goal percentage, 200th for 3-point field goal percentage, 224th for free throw percentage, and 5th for offensive rebounding. While defensively, Bryant is 248th for scoring defense, 61st for field goal percentage permitted, 80th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 246th for defensive rebounding.
Michigan State Spartans Team Overview
Late on, Michigan State has covered eight of its previous nine games and has gone under the NCAA Tournament odds total in eight of its last ten outings. First among Michigan State scorers is Jaden Akins, with 12.7 points per game.
Overall, the Michigan State Spartans are 27-6 straight up, 21-9-1 against the spread, and 10-21 over/under the total. Michigan State has national metrics of 70th for scoring offense, 102nd for field goal percentage, 344th for 3-point field goal percentage, 12th for free throw percentage, and 8th for offensive rebounding. While defensively, Michigan State is 46th for scoring defense, 18th for field goal percentage permitted, 3rd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 28th for defensive rebounding.
Namely, Tom Izzo has been one of the great coaches of this generation. But the past few seasons at Michigan State haven’t quite gone as planned. Four straight tournament berths are great, but just one Sweet 16 appearance and zero years with a seed better than seven aren’t the expectations at Michigan State.
It’s safe to say Tom Izzo was reaching the twilight of his career until this season of triumph. Now, this 2024-25 squad could be one of his last chances to compete for a national championship. Izzo lightly used the portal this offseason, putting heavy trust in the players coming back. And that gamble paid off.
Although the Spartans haven’t been the Spartans of old in recent years, as long as Tom Izzo is at the helm at Michigan State, they have a shot. This season’s successful on-court product was largely determined by the improvement of the returners got in the offseason.
Last game, John Tonje poured in 32 points as No. 18 Wisconsin snapped No. 7 Michigan State’s eight-game winning streak with a 77-74 Big Ten tournament semifinal victory. Tonje delivered 11 points in five minutes during a defining second-half stretch for the Badgers.
Michigan State vs. Bryant SBG Free Picks
As was previously noted, Michigan State showed impressive value and profits this year.
Michigan State vs. Bryant SBG Best Bet: Michigan State Spartans.