Oregon (16-7) at Michigan State (18-4)
- When: Feb 8 2025, 12:00 PM
- Where: Jack Breslin Students Events Center, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Where to watch: FOX
Game Preview
Michigan State Favored by 8.5 | Total Set at 148.0
Two teams looking to snap losing streaks will square off in East Lansing on Saturday afternoon as No. 9 Michigan State hosts Oregon in a crucial matchup. The Spartans enter as strong home favorites, while the Ducks aim to stop their recent slide.
Michigan State Spartans (18-4, 9-2 Big Ten)
Despite back-to-back losses in Los Angeles against USC and UCLA, Michigan State remains dominant at home with a perfect 11-0 record. The Spartans previously rode a 13-game winning streak before stumbling on the road, marking the first time this season they’ve lost consecutive games.
Offensively, Michigan State has struggled in low-scoring affairs. Their season-low 61 points in the loss to UCLA was concerning, as they hold a 1-4 record when failing to reach the 70-point mark. Sluggish starts have also been a problem, with the Spartans trailing at halftime in each of their four defeats.
Jaden Akins leads the team in scoring with 13.5 points per game, but he is the only Michigan State player averaging double figures. Jaxon Kohler remains a force on the boards, pulling down 7.6 rebounds per contest. The Spartans’ outside shooting remains a liability, as they connect on just 28.7% from beyond the arc.
Turnovers were costly in their recent loss to UCLA, as Michigan State committed 16 turnovers in a tight 63-61 defeat. Cleaning up their ball security will be key to covering the spread at home.
Oregon Ducks (16-7, 5-7 Pac-12)
Oregon has dropped four straight games, including a tough 80-76 loss to No. 24 Michigan on Wednesday. Three of those defeats were competitive, but slow starts and inefficient shooting have made the Ducks play from behind too often.
Once ranked as high as No. 9, Oregon has fallen out of the Top 25 due to their recent struggles. Leading scorer Nate Bittle (12.7 PPG) has also gone cold, averaging just 8.3 points per game during the losing streak. However, he showed signs of life against Michigan with a 16-point performance.
Defensive lapses and inconsistent shooting have hurt Oregon. The Ducks have failed to shoot above 46% from the field in four straight games, making it difficult to keep pace with high-powered teams.
Coach Dana Altman remains hopeful but acknowledges the urgency of turning things around. “We’ve narrowed it down to a six-week season here if we’re not careful, and we got to get better,” Altman said.
Betting Prediction
Michigan State’s home dominance cannot be ignored, but their recent form raises some concerns, especially their lack of reliable scoring outside of Akins. Oregon, despite their struggles, has remained competitive in losses, meaning they could cover the spread if they can avoid another slow start.
Michigan State should win outright, but Oregon’s ability to keep games close makes the Ducks a viable underdog play to cover the 8.5-point spread. Expect a competitive battle, but the Spartans’ home-court edge should help them grind out a win.
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- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
