2008 Michigan State NCAA Basketball Tournament Odds

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The Michigan State Spartans are not sitting at first place in the Big Ten Conference standings, they are a game back, but I think Tom Izzo’s boys have the best shot to make a Final Four run from this conference. Get Jimmy’s take in this article as we look at the 2008 Michigan State Spartans Odds to win the NCAA tournament.

Michigan State is currently the 11th ranked team in the nation at 19-3 on the season. Wisconsin, Purdue, and Indiana are all ahead of the Spartans in the Big Ten standings with just one loss (Michigan State has two). Wisconsin is even ranked higher at 8th nationally, but it is the Spartans which have the best chance at winning it all.

Michigan State may not win the Big Ten title as the Spartans still have to go to Purdue, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio State, but it does have the make up of a team suited to do more damage than the rest in the Big Dance.

First off, Tom Izzo is one of the best coaches in the country. Under Izzo, the Spartans have reached the Final Four in four of the past nine seasons, which is more than any other team during that time frame. The guy is one of the best motivators in college hoops, getting more out of his kids than just about any other coach I’ve seen with the exception of Bob Knight.

Michigan State has been so successful in the postseason because of its defense. The Spartans are allowing just 62.7 ppg this season and holding opponents to just 39 percent shooting from the floor.

Offensively, Michigan State is very disciplined, rarely taking bad shots. Drew Neitzel is a guy that can do it all. He can play the point and the off guard, he can shoot it off screens and create his own shot. He is also a very underrated passer with the ability to get in the lane and create, which we saw more of when he was starting for Izzo as a freshman. Raymar Morgan is one of the most talented offensive players in the Big Ten. He leads the team in scoring at 16.1 ppg.

Tom Izzo demands success and that’s why he has been so successful at Michigan State. We don’t think the Spartans are quite the caliber of teams like North Carolina, Memphis and UCLA, but they did play UCLA to a tight 5-point game earlier this season. Izzo could get this team to the Final Four, but I don’t see them raising another championship banner in East Lansing this year.

As far as the betting perspective on this team goes, the Spartans are 8-8-2 ATS, costing standard amount players the juice. This is more of a team you’re going to want to pick your spots with and I think we’ll have some great opportunities to take State in the underdog role on the road in the second half of the Big Ten season.

Odds to win the NCAA Tournament: 35/1

Take a look at our betting articles on other NCAA basketball teams:

• Maryland Terrapins

• Drake Bulldogs

• Duke Blue Devils

• UCLA Bruins

• North Carolina Tar Heels

• Memphis Tigers

• Kansas Jayhawks

• Tennessee Vols

• Butler Bulldogs

• Stanford Cardinal

February 5th, 2007