Wisconsin Badgers vs. Michigan State Spartans
Free Pick: Michigan State -8.5 (-110) – Sun February 22 ’09 3:00p
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The home team has dominated the head-to-head series between the Michigan State Spartans and look for the Spartans to continue that home dominance.

Michigan State should also be in an ornery mood here after getting blown out by 18 points at Purdue on Tuesday, so returning home and facing Wisconsin in a down year seems like the perfect remedy. Sure, this spread may seem a tad large at first glance, but remember that the Spartans are winning their home games by an average of +13.9 games this year.

MSU is very balanced offensively and defensively, as they rank number 22 in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency and number 14 in adjusted defensive efficiency according to the Pomeroy Ratings. The also rank fourth in the country in offensive rebounding percentage, which is significant here as Wisconsin ranks 199 in that category, meaning the Spartans should have the edge in second-chance points.

The Badgers are a disappointing 17-9 overall and just 8-6 inside the conference. They have a losing 4-5 record in their true road games including 3-4 on the road in conference, and those were vs. Indiana, Penn State and Michigan. Wisconsin has yet to beat a team of the Spartans caliber away from home, and the fact that State is coming off of a bad loss diminishes the Badgers chances even more.

Finally, Wisconsin has won the last four head-to-head meetings including wins in the last two Big Ten Tournaments, so Michigan State seems primed for revenge this afternoon.

College Basketball Betting Free Pick: Michigan State -8.5 (-110) - Courtesy of LT Profits

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