Michigan State vs Northern Arizona 11/7/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks and Michigan State Spartans meet Monday in college basketball action at the Breslin Center. The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks have won a combined 15 games the last 2 years. The Michigan State Spartans are coming off a 23-win season. 

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks have won single digit games in 5 of their last 7 seasons. Jalen Cone returns after averaging 18.8 points and 3 rebounds, while Nik Mains averaged 11.5 points and 1 assist. Carson Towt averaged 3.7 assists and Keith Haymon averaged 3.4 rebounds. Northern Arizona returns its top-4 scorers from last season, including Cone, who was an All-Big Sky selection last season. With more experience and guys used to playing together, Northern Arizona could be in position for a solid year for once.

The Michigan State Spartans enter the 28th season under legendary coach Tom Izzo. Malik Hall returns after averaging 8.9 points and 4.6 rebounds, while Tyson Walker averaged 8.2 points and 4.3 assists. A.J. Hoggard played in over 700 minutes last season, and Joey Hauser averaged 5.3 rebounds. Michigan State says goodbye to its top-3 scorers from a year ago, but the majority of the depth returns for another season. MSU also lands a pair of highly recruited players in Trejuan Holloman and Jaxon Kohler. This may not be the most talented Michigan State team ever, but Sparty will be in the thick of the Big Ten race yet again.

The Lumberjacks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Monday games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games. The Spartans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The under is 5-1 in Lumberjacks last 6 Monday games. The over is 7-1 in Spartans last 8 overall.

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks have the ability to give MSU some issues, but the lack of top level talent is probably the difference here. The Michigan State Spartans have some nice pieces joining the squad this year, and they usually beat the snot out of lesser teams at home. Don’t love the line, but Sparty has a clear edge over Northern Arizona in terms of depth. It’s MSU or pass for me.