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Final Four Betting – Can Michigan State Beat Duke? Yes, and Here’s How.

  • Updated: April 4, 2015
    • Final Four Betting Can Michigan State Beat Duke? Yes, and Heres How.

    By Charles Jay

    When the Michigan State Spartans go up against the Duke Blue Devils in the first Final Four game on Saturday, it will be yet another case where Tom Izzo’s team has to reach out and beat a higher seed. But that is an assignment they seem to have regularly handled through the years. And you can’t measure the mental toughness of the Spartan squad. A team no one really expected to get here is indeed here. And they can make it to the championship game, to play either Kentucky or Wisconsin, with a victory, as NCAA Tournament betting action tips off at 6:05 PM ET at Lucas oil Stadium in Indianapolis. After this game gets underway, customers at BetAnySports can wager on side, total and prop action through the facilities of Live Betting Extra.

    Final Four Betting Can Michigan State Beat Duke? Yes, and Heres How.

    Duke comes into the game with a record of 33-4 straight-up and 23-14 against the basketball pointspread. Michigan State has a record of 27-11 straight-up and 22-15 ATS.

    These teams met way back at the beginning of the season; in fact it was on November 18, and it was right here in Indianapolis, for the Champions Classic. Duke was an eight-point favorite in the game and emerged victorious by an 81-71 score, shooting 54% from the field, compared to 50% for the Spartans. Michigan State had the edge in rebounds, but Duke took 26 free throws compared to just ten for Michigan State.

    In the Final Four Betting odds posted on this game at BetAnySports, Duke is favored:

    Duke Blue Devils -5.5
    Michigan State Spartans +5.5

    Over 138 points -110
    Under 138 points -110

    Can Michigan State win this game? We think they conceivably can, and here are some of the reasons why:

    * Michigan State is 39% from beyond the three-point arc, so they can close any gap in a hurry. Of course, they won’t have the easiest assignment in the world, as Duke has held opponents to 24% from downtown during the tournament. But there is no question that the Spartans have the firepower in the backcourt and on the wing to get this job done.

    * Michigan State is probably a little more hard-nosed offensively than Duke. The Spartans have always played tough defense, and this season they have permitted teams to shoot only 39% from the field.

    * BetAnySports patrons know this is simply a program that is used to knocking off higher-rated teams when it counts the most. Tom Izzo has led three different teams with a #5 seed or below into the Final Four, and he has been to this extravaganza seven times overall. Again, here we go; Michigan State was the seventh-seed in their region, and knocked off the #2, #3 and #4 seeds in order to get here.

    * Michigan State has a veteran backcourt with Travis Trice, who has been very effective in this tournament, along with Denzel Valentine. Those are the season players; they have been joined by a little spark plug, LouRawls Naim, who is really added some life off the bench. So this is a team that can hurt the opponent from the outside and won’t be forced into many mistakes bringing the ball up the floor.

    * Michigan State (and BetAnySports observers) learned an awful lot from their previous defeat at the hands of Duke. For one thing, they learned that they probably have to get to the free throw line more. As mentioned, Duke was able to get 26 attempts from the charity stripe in the November 8 meeting, compared to just ten for Michigan State. Of course, it’s one thing to get to the free-throw line, and quite another to convert. There’s one thing that lingers out there, and it is that the Spartans have hit only 63% of their free-throw attempts. One thing that can be said about the subpar performance of Michigan State in that game however; that was just the third game of the season, and under Izzo, the Spartans have always been known to come on strong as the season progresses.

    BetAnySports is all the options any sports bettor could want when it comes to Final Four action. Whether it’s alternative lines, live in-game betting or reduced juice, they’ve got the entire menu for you…… Open up an account with your Visa card or with Bitcoin today!

    Summary
    Final Four Betting Can Michigan State Beat Duke? Yes, and Heres How.
    Article Name
    Final Four Betting: Here's how Michigan State Beat Duke
    Description
    Preview the chances the Michigan State Spartans have vs the Duke Blue Devils in Final Four Betting action - 6:05 PM ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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