Picks for 1/30/26
College Basketball
8:00 PM EST
Rotation # 881
Michigan -1.5 over Michigan State (win)
Dusty May is a great coach, but Tom Izzo is a better coach. The good news for May and his Michigan team is that Izzo and the Spartans have yet to face all of the transfer talent brought in this year. The Wolverines are a completely different team than the one the Spartans blew out in both meetings a year ago. Transfers Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, and Aday Mara are big bodies that can score in the paint and dominate on the glass. UNC transfer Elliot Cadeau has the vision to find his teammates. The Wolverines need to continue to play with tempo and hope to frustrate a Spartans team that plays at a slower pace. Michigan State might be the best defense in the country, but the Wolverines have the length to frustrate them and get the starters in foul trouble. Interestingly, the Wolverines are the small road favorite, but I agree with the oddsmakers’ assessment. Take Michigan.
8:00 PM EST
Rotation # 881
Michigan -1.5 over Michigan State (win)
Dusty May is a great coach, but Tom Izzo is a better coach. The good news for May and his Michigan team is that Izzo and the Spartans have yet to face all of the transfer talent brought in this year. The Wolverines are a completely different team than the one the Spartans blew out in both meetings a year ago. Transfers Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, and Aday Mara are big bodies that can score in the paint and dominate on the glass. UNC transfer Elliot Cadeau has the vision to find his teammates. The Wolverines need to continue to play with tempo and hope to frustrate a Spartans team that plays at a slower pace. Michigan State might be the best defense in the country, but the Wolverines have the length to frustrate them and get the starters in foul trouble. Interestingly, the Wolverines are the small road favorite, but I agree with the oddsmakers’ assessment. Take Michigan.