Michigan State vs North Carolina picks, predictions, odds: Who wins March Madness game?
No. 9 seed Michigan State and No. 1 seed North Carolina play Saturday, March 23 in an NCAA Tournament second-round game in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The West Region game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. PT and can be seen on CBS (stream with this free trial from FUBO).
Who will win the March Madness game and advance to the Sweet 16? Check out these NCAA Tournament second-round picks and predictions for the men's college basketball matchup.
North Carolina is a 3.5-point favorite in the game in March Madness odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. The Tar Heels are -190 on the moneyline. The Spartans are +155. The over/under for the game is set at 139.5 points.
Michigan State defeated No. 8 seed Mississippi State in the first round, 69-51. North Carolina beat No. 16 seed Wagner, 90-62.
Saturday's March Madness picks, predictions: Dayton vs Arizona | Gonzaga vs Kansas | Michigan State vs North Carolina | Washington State vs Iowa State | Oakland vs NC State | Texas vs Tennessee | Duquesne vs Illinois | Oregon vs Creighton
Sunday's March Madness picks, predictions: Colorado vs Marquette | Utah State vs Purdue | James Madison vs Duke | Clemson vs Baylor | Grand Canyon vs Alabama | Northwestern vs UConn | Texas A&M vs Houston | Yale vs San Diego State
Fayetteville Observer: North Carolina 74, Michigan State 68
Rodd Baxley writes: "It’s tough to bet against Michigan State coach Tom Izzo in March, but the Tar Heels have owned the series. In a physical, low-scoring game, UNC will have enough scoring options to get to the Sweet 16."
March Madness on TV: How to watch NCAA Tournament second-round games Saturday, Sunday
Sportsbook Wire: North Carolina 74, Michigan State 71
It writes: "North Carolina has won 20 games against the spread this season, while failing to cover 15 times. Michigan State has compiled a 20-14-0 ATS record so far this season. The Tar Heels record 81.7 points per game, 16.2 more points than the 65.5 the Spartans give up."
FanDuel: Take North Carolina to cover against Michigan State
Skyler Carlin writes: "I don't feel extremely confident taking North Carolina to cover against a Michigan State team that seems like it is flipping the switch in March again. At the same time, the Tar Heels are a 1 seed for a reason and have the eighth-shortest odds to win the National Championship (+2000)."
March Madness game odds: Point spreads, moneylines, over/unders for Saturday, Sunday
March Madness NCAA Tournament odds: UConn, Houston favored to win 2024 title
Betting Pros: Bet Michigan State with the points vs. North Carolina in NCAA Tournament
Mike Spector writes: "At first glance, this looks like a curiously low point spread in a game involving a No. 1 vs. a No. 9 seed, but that is the respect that oddsmakers are giving Izzo in March. The Spartans have played three games against top-two seeds in the NCAA Tournament this season, and while they went 0-3 SU against Purdue and Arizona, all of those games were decided by six or fewer points. This North Carolina team is not as explosive offensively as it has been in the past, as it shoots 3-pointers at the 78th-best clip and rank 168th in 2-point shooting. Michigan State can make this game a grind, and has the physicality to bang down low with Armando Bacot. This game could come down to who gets hotter between two explosive guards in RJ Davis and Tyson Walker, and we expect a huge game from Walker, who has made three or more 3-pointers in three of the last four games. Michigan State is 11-7-1 ATS against ranked opponents and has covered three of its last four NCAA Tournament games since 2022, and if any team is mentally tough enough to overcome what should feel like a road atmosphere in Charlotte, it's the Spartans."
ESPN: North Carolina has a 63.6% chance to beat Michigan State in March Madness
The site gives the Spartans a 36.4% shot at defeating the Tar Heels in Saturday's second-round March Madness NCAA Tournament game.
March Madness predictions: ESPN's game predictor's picks, win probabilities for Saturday
March Madness predictions: ESPN's game predictor's picks, win probabilities for Sunday
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STREAM THE GAME: Watch Michigan State vs. North Carolina live with FUBO (free trial)
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Michigan State vs North Carolina March Madness picks, predictions
