Michigan State Spartans vs. New Mexico State Aggies Betting Odds

Opening Line: New Mexico State +13.5 / MSU -13.5 O/U O/U 147.5

Time: 7:20 PM EST Friday March 19, 2010 on CBS

In the 1st round game in the tough Midwestern Region the 5th seed Michigan State Spartans face the 12th seed New Mexico State Aggies. The Spartans won a share of the Big 10 title, but they lost in the quarterfinals of the Big 10 tournament. The Aggies were on the bubble, bit time, and it was likely they would not get an invite to the Big Dance, but they upset regular WAC champion Utah State in the conference tourney to get an automatic bid.

This season MSU is 12-18 ATS and New Mexico State is 15-12-1 ATS

In their last games Michigan State lost to Minnesota 72.67 in OT in the Big 10 conference tourney while New Mexico State beat Utah State 69-63 in the finals of the WAC tourney.

The Aggies did not look good losing their last 2 regular season games this season, but they come into this 1st round game with a ton of confidence after winning 3 straight to win the WAC tournament.

The Aggies have a solid offense, which is averaging 78.6 ppg, which is very well balanced with 2 guards, 2 forwards, and a center averaging in double figures led by G Jahmar Young (20.5 ppg).

However, while NMSU is solid on offense they are mediocre, at best, on defense allowing an average of 77.8 ppg.

The Spartans are also a well-balanced team with 2 guards and 2 forwards averaging in double figures led by last season's Big 10 Player of the Year Kalin Lucas (14.9 ppg).

New Mexico State will have to figure out a way to score on a solid MSU defense that only gave up an average of 63.7 ppg.

While the Spartans do have 2 centers on their roster neither gets much playing time and the forwards of Raymar Morgan (11.5 ppg 6.2 rpg) and Draymond Green (10.1 ppg 7.9 rpg) have to body up on 6'11" Aggies' C Wendell McKines (10.8 ppg 9.9 rpg) and not allow him to control the glass.

The Spartans played a tougher schedule being in the Big 10, but the Aggies did not play cream puffs, as they faced 4 teams this season that are in the NCAA tournament.

Betting Trends

New Mexico State is 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games, 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog, and has an Under record of 5-0-1 in their last 6 neutral site games.

Michigan State is 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games as a favorite, 1-6 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games, and has an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 games facing teams with a winning percentage greater than 60%.

Our Selection : Take New Mexico State +13.5