Kansas Jayhawks vs Michigan State Spartans Betting Preview

The Kansas Jayhawks kick off their season against the Michigan State Spartans. Each of these teams has a storied history and is looking to have incredible seasons. With the year just beginning, we're sure to see some bumps in the road. However, the Jayhawks always come prepared, and we expect no different on Tuesday.

The Michigan State Spartans ended their season in 2020 on a low note. Their offense struggled, while their defense allowed over 70 points per game. To start this week, they're going to do all they can to take down the Jayhawks. This will be a tough task for them, considering the Jayhawks are already ranked number three in the country.

Kansas Jayhawks look to kick off the season with a bang!

The Jayhawks had a solid offense in 2020, but their defense was even more impressive. They likely continued to work on their defense in the offseason. We'll get a chance to see just how good it is against the Spartans. Unfortunately, we'll be watching Kansas without one of their forwards.

After being suspended for three regular-season games, Jalen Wilson will watch his team from the bench. Although this is a blow to the Jayhawks, we expect them to overcome this problem swiftly. As they say, it's the next man up, and the Jayhawks have a deep roster to pull from. The same can't be said for Michigan State.

Michigan State Spartans can start the season with an upset

Michigan State comes into this game as 4.5-point underdogs. Still, you can't ignore the talent on the Spartans roster. This game could end up much closer, that is, if the Spartans can play good defense. The defense has been a thorn in the Spartans' side since last year and will be something to watch going forward.

When looking at the Spartans' statistics, you'll see that the Jayhawks average a better percentage in each category. Kansas shoots better from the field and from beyond the arc. This means that Michigan State will have to play incredible defense just to prevent a blowout. At the same time, the Spartans need to find a way to generate more offense.

Our Pick for Kansas Jayhawks vs. Michigan State Spartans

By taking some time to look at what each of these teams does well, the answer becomes clearer. Michigan State is only +4.5 in this game, which is enough to help them against Kansas. The Jayhawks are looking to take over the NCAA this year, and they'll start off with MSU. Although we believe the Jayhawks will win, the team we believe will cover is MSU.

With players missing from the lineup, the Jayhawks offense could begin to suffer on Tuesday. This will give the Spartans a chance to keep the gap closed and take advantage of the Jayhawks' mistakes. Rebounding will play a large role here, something the Spartans do very well at. It might sound wild to take an underdog to start the season, but the best bet here is MSU.

Dunkelindex Free Pick: Michigan State Spartans +4

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