Bryant vs. Michigan State March Madness Preview and Prediction
In the No. 15 vs. No. 2 matchup in the NCAA Tournament South Region, the Bryant Bulldogs face the Michigan State Spartans in first-round action.
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How to Watch Bryant vs. Michigan State
When: 10:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 21st
Where: Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio
Watch: TBS
Odds for Bryant vs. Michigan State
(odds current at time of publish)
Spread: Michigan State -18.5 (-110), Bryant +18.5 (-110)
Total: Over 150.5 (-110), Under 150.5 (-110)
DraftKings Betting Splits | Live College Basketball Odds | Bryant vs. Michigan State Matchup Page
Bryant vs. Michigan State Preview & Prediction
The No. 2 Michigan State Spartans are set to face off against the No. 15 Bryant Bulldogs in an intriguing first-round matchup. Tom Izzo’s Spartans, making their 27th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, bring a potent mix of defensive prowess and an old-school offensive approach to the table. On the defensive side, Michigan State excels as a top-10 team, particularly in limiting opponents’ 3-point shooting. This has been crucial, as they’ve struggled with their own 3-point shooting, instead relying on a high volume of 2-point shots and dominating the offensive glass to compensate.
Bryant, under Phil Martelli Jr., enters the tournament as America East Conference champions, known for their breakneck pace. The Bulldogs have consistently ranked among the fastest teams in college basketball over the past five seasons. While their defensive efficiency has dipped slightly from last year, they’ve made strides on offense, particularly in 3-point shooting and free-throw accuracy.
Bryant will likely try to push the tempo and force Michigan State out of their comfort zone, which could create an interesting dynamic. There’s a real difference between Bryant’s up-tempo style and Michigan State’s more methodical approach. However, Michigan State’s strengths seem well-suited for this matchup, as their defensive prowess and rebounding dominance should help mitigate Bryant’s fast-paced offense. The Spartans’ struggles from beyond the arc should also be less of a liability against the Bulldogs. Michigan State hasn’t faced a defense this weak in months, and even a mediocre Big Ten offense can look elite against a smaller conference opponent. Guys like Jase Richardson, Jaden Akins, Tre Holloman and Jaxon Kohler could all go off with the quality of looks they’ll be getting here.
Michigan State’s tournament experience and defensive strength deservedly make them heavy favorites. The Spartans’ ability to dictate the pace and limit Bryant’s 3-point opportunities should give them a significant edge. The only thing that can really throw a wrench into the plans is a scorching-hot shooting performance from the Bulldogs — and that’ll need to happen against great perimeter defense.
Ultimately, it’s hard not to view this as a matchup tailor-made for Michigan State to showcase their strengths while minimizing their weaknesses.
Estimated Score: Michigan State 84.9, Bryant 66
For expert predictions, go to our college basketball best bets page.
