Michigan State vs High Point 12/29/21 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The High Point Panthers will travel to the Breslin Center to take on the 10^th Michigan State Spartans this Wednesday afternoon in College Basketball action.

The High Point Panthers snapped their 2-game losing streak and improved to 6-6 on the season after defeating the FAU Owls, 55-52, on December 21^st. High Point was solid on the defensive end against FAU and was able to hold off the Owls for the victory after taking a 53-47 lead with 3:47 left in regulation. High Point shot 43.4% from the field & 50.0% from beyond the arc while holding FAU to just 38.2% shooting from the field & 24.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Panthers was Zack Austin who had a double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, & 1 steal.

On the season, High Point is averaging 72.1 ppg on 43.6% shooting from the field. The Panthers are averaging 7.0 three-pointers per game on 36.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, High Point has been led by John-Michael Wright (20.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.1 apg), Zack Austin (13.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.4 spg, 3.4 bpg), Jaden House (11.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.3 apg), & Bryant Randleman (8.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.4 spg).

Defensively, High Point is allowing their opponents to average 68.4 ppg on 40.6% shooting from the field. The Panthers have a rebound margin of 0.2 and a turnover margin of 0.1.

The 10^th ranked Michigan State Spartans won their 5^th straight game and improved to 10-2 on the season after defeating the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, 90-78, on December 21^st. Michigan State was outstanding on the offensive end against Oakland and had no trouble pulling away for the victory in the 2^nd half after going into halftime with a 44-35 lead. Michigan State shot 55.2% from the field & 39.3% from beyond the arc while allowing Oakland to shoot 43.9% from the field & 37.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Spartans was Marcus Bingham Jr. who had a double-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, & 1 steal.

On the season, Michigan State is averaging 75.3 ppg on 46.6% shooting from the field. The Spartans are averaging 7.6 three-pointers per game on 38.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Michigan State has been led by Gabe Brown (13.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.1 apg), Marcus Bingham Jr. (10.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.0 spg, 3.1 bpg), Malik Hall (9.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.2 apg), & Max Christie (9.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.6 apg).

Defensively, Michigan State is allowing their opponents to average 65.1 ppg on 38.8% shooting from the field. The Spartans have a rebound margin of 8.6 and a turnover margin of -3.2.

The Panthers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win. The Spartans are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall & 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 Wednesday games.

High Point has arguably the best players in the Big South in John-Michael Wright, however, the offense still has struggled a bit as it comes into this game ranked just 179^th in scoring offense & 208^th in FG%. The Panthers have been decent defensively as although they rank just t-184^th in scoring defense, High Point currently ranks 99^th in defensive FG% & 12^th in blocks per game. Michigan State has been solid on both ends of the court as the Spartans come into this game ranked 104^th in scoring offense, 102^nd in scoring defense, & 41^st in defensive FG%.

Michigan State has moved into the top-10 over the rankings and have been solid on both ends of the court, however, this is just not a team that has really blown out many opponents this season as the Spartans currently have a scoring margin of 10.2. High Point has an outstanding scorer in John-Michael Wright and between the fact that the Panthers have been somewhat strong defensively and was competitive on the road against Notre Dame earlier this season, I think High Point can keep this one within 20 points and cover. Good Luck!