Most eight vs nine matchups should project to be a close matchup, and this one is no different. Just a point separates these two teams on the spread with one of the lowest projected totals of the first round in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan State was not one of the last four teams in but with just 19 wins and just two wins against ranked opponents, their resume is not as impressive as most other teams.
Mississippi State began the year extremely hot. They won six games in a row to open the season and were 11-2 in their first 13 games. Impressive wins included beating Tennessee twice and also beating Auburn. On paper Mississippi looks like the better team but Michigan State is always a tough out and won’t make it easy on them.
Michigan State rarely loses by double digits and will find themselves in most games at the end. In the tournament anything can happen in those final minutes which makes Michigan State so hard to eliminate because they are rarely down big. Mississippi State has the more impressive season resume and is the hotter team after winning two SEC Tournament games.
