NCAA Basketball BETTING PREVIEW - North Dakota State Bison @ Michigan State Spartans

NCAA Basketball

2026-03-19 - North Dakota State Bison at Michigan State Spartans

A Sports Betting Preview by FirstDown

Michigan State Spartans vs North Dakota State Bison
United States : NCAA Basketball Tournament First Round
Thursday 19th March 2026 - Scheduled 4:05pm
8:05pm (British Time)

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Preview

One of the big rivals, Michigan Wolverines, may have earned a Number 1 Seed in the NCAA Tournament, but the Michigan State Spartans (25-7) will head into 'March Madness' feeling very confident about their own chances. Focus is going to be a key for this squad and not overlooking any opponent, as they perhaps did in the Big Ten Tournament last week, but the Spartans will be very tough to beat if they are concentrated.

The Spartans are one of the Number 3 Seeds that may feel pretty hard done by when not included in the tier above, but Michigan State can show everyone what they are about in this Tournament.

They do begin having lost the last two games in a row, but the Michigan State Spartans will also note those have been against much stronger opponents than the one they are facing in the First Round.

Take nothing away from the North Dakota State Bison (27-7) who won the Summit Conference regular season and Tournament, but this looks a tough match up for them.

Four wins in a row will have given the Bison belief, but they look like they could struggle at both ends of the floor in this one and that may make it very difficult to remain competitive. One encouragement may be the recent issues Michigan State have had in stopping the three point shot, but North Dakota State do not play at the same level as those in the Big Ten and so it is very difficult to know how they can bridge the obvious gap in level.

In recent games, the Spartans have really found a positive groove Offensively and that may see them pull clear of this opponent by half time. Tom Izzo is plenty experienced as Head Coach and he could rotate his players in the second half if the game is in hand, but there is a day of rest between the First Round and the Second Round and Michigan State may want to put up a really positive performance to erase memories of consecutive defeats ahead of the NCAA Tournament beginning.

The last couple of years have seen Michigan State win First Round games impressively and they reached the Elite Eight of this Tournament twelve months ago.

With this current squad, Michigan State should have far too much for the Summit Conference best, and they can pull clear of this big spread set.

Prediction

Lay the points with the favourite and Number 3 Seed in this First Round game in the NCAA Tournament.

The Pick :

Michigan State Spartans 79-61 North Dakota State

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Michigan State Spartans - 16 Points at -110 with Bovada