Michigan State vs. Kansas State predictions, picks & odds for Thursday, 3/23

Pickswise provides exclusive sports betting content to MLive.com, including picks, analysis, tools, games and sportsbook offers to help bettors get in on the action. Please wager responsibly.

This season’s NCAA March Madness tournament has been about as exciting as it gets, and Thursday’s Sweet 16 round matchups should bring the intrigue to another level. One of the Sweet 16 matchups bettors are gearing up for is between the #3-seed Kansas State Wildcats and the #7-seed Michigan State Spartans, scheduled for 6:30 PM ET on Thursday, March 23.

In this article, we’ll outline our favorite Michigan State vs. Kansas State predictions and picks as well as explain how to qualify for BetMGM’s $1,000 first-bet bonus offer. No promo code is required to qualify for the promotion: users will just need to create an account using this link.

BetMGM currently has Michigan State listed as a (-140) money line favorite, with Kansas State holding (+115) money line odds. Both teams are heading into this matchup on a hot streak, with Michigan State taking care of business against #2-seed Marquette and Kansas State defeating Kentucky in the last round. Both squads were point-spread underdogs in those games. However, we think Tom Izzo’s Spartans’ luck may be about to run out as they face this Wildcats team that is as formidable a foe as anyone they’ve played in the tournament so far.

Heading into Thursday’s matchup, Michigan State has struggled against Big 12 opponents, going just 1-6 against the spread against teams from the conference. On the other hand, Kansas State has held their own against the Big 10, covering in four of their last five matchups.

We also like Kansas State’s defense to smother Kansas State offensively. The Spartans have somewhat struggled on the offensive side of the ball all season, ranking 205th in the NCAA in total points; however, they rank third in the NCAA in three-point percentage, which is the lifeblood of the Spartan offense. This overreliance on the three-ball may spell trouble for Michigan State, as Kansas State ranks within the top 20 in the NCAA at defending the three.

Our top Michigan State vs. Kansas State prediction is for the 25-9 Wildcats to take down the 21-12 Spartans outright, cashing in on the (+115, $100 bet wins $115 in profit) money line odds. If you like Kansas State as much as we do, head over to BetMGM and create your account using this link. Once you wager at least $10, you’ll receive up to $1,000 in bonus bet credits (equivalent to the size of your first wager) if your bet loses.

Some of the top Michigan State vs. Kansas State predictions for this Sweet 16 clash between Michigan State and Kansas State are game and player prop bets. The first of these is the winning margin bet. As we explained above, we like Kansas State’s (+100) money line odds to win outright; that being said, the spread is currently set to favor Michigan State by 2.5 points, and oddsmakers expect the game to go down to the wire. If you’re on-board with Kansas State taking down Michigan State in a close game, consider betting BetMGM’s winning margin line, with Kansas State to win by 1-5 points coming in at incredibly friendly (+360) odds.

We find it unlikely that either team runs away with this one, particularly so deep into the tournament. That makes the (+360) betting odds for Kansas State to win by a margin of 1-5 points a steal.

With such a close matchup between two evenly-talented teams, sometimes it is best to fade the game picks altogether and bet on the points total, currently set at 137.5 on BetMGM.

As far as the point total goes, our top Michigan State vs. Kansas State prediction is for the over to hit in this matchup. Kansas State has seen the points total go over in four of their last five games; moreover, both of their March Madness matchups would have surpassed Thursday’s 137.5 points total. Even more illuminating is the fact that the point total has gone over in 14 of the last 19 matchups in which Kansas State was a point-spread underdog.

Both teams have top offensive players performing at their peak: Kansas State’s first-team Big 12 selections Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell are averaging nearly 34 points per game combined, while Michigan State’s Tyson Walker and Joey Hauser are averaging nearly 30 points per game between themselves. Michigan State also has a stable of three-point shooters who could get hot and help the points total soar if things break right.

If you like this matchup to surpass 137.5 points scored and the Over (-110) to cash, head over to BetMGM and create an account using this link. If you bet $10 or more on the total (or any other sports bet, including our other Michigan State vs. Kansas State predictions), you’ll be granted your original wager back in bonus bets if it loses.

If you’re a first-time BetMGM customer and like our Michigan State vs. Kansas State predictions as much as we do, head over to the sportsbook and create an account using this link to qualify for their current promotional offer. No promo code is required: just sign up using one of the links in this article to qualify.

If you make a deposit and place a bet of at least $10 on any sports market (including Kansas State over Michigan State), you’ll qualify to receive your original wager back in bonus credits, up to $1,000. This is a perfect way for first-time BetMGM customers to get acquainted with the sportsbook while getting in on the March Madness betting action without worrying about a depleting bankroll. Hurry over and register for a new BetMGM account as this promotion will only last for a limited time.

BetMGM currently has the following betting odds hosted on their site for this matchup:

• Point spread: Michigan State -2.5 (-105) vs. Kansas State +2.5 (-115)
• Money line: Michigan State ML (-140) vs. Kansas State ML (+115)
• Game total: Over 137.5 (-110) vs. Under 137.5 (+110)

If any of these game lines jump out at you, . By using our link, creating your account, and betting at least $10 on any sports market, you’ll qualify to receive up to $1,000 back in bonus credits if your first bet loses.

If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net