The North Dakota State Bison will play against the Michigan State Spartans in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This first-round game in the East Region will take place at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. The game is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 4:05 PM ET and will be broadcast on TNT.
North Dakota State enters the tournament with a strong record. They finished the regular season with a 27-7 overall record and a 17-2 record in the Summit Conference. In their recent games, the Bison secured wins against North Dakota, Omaha, and Oral Roberts.
Michigan State is ranked #11 in the AP poll and has a 25-7 overall record. They finished with a 15-6 record in the Big Ten Conference. Recently, the Spartans lost to UCLA and Michigan but won against Rutgers. Last postseason, they reached the Elite Eight before losing to Auburn.
Michigan State Preview
The Michigan State Spartans are ranked #11 in the AP poll. They play in the Big Ten Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they reached the Elite Eight. They lost to Auburn with a score of 70-64.
During the 2026 regular season, the Spartans had a record of 25-7. In conference play, they went 15-6. Their recent games included a win against Rutgers and losses to UCLA and Michigan. Against UCLA, they scored 84 points but lost by 4.
Jeremy Fears Jr. is a key player for the Spartans. He scored 21 points against UCLA and had 13 assists. In the game against Michigan, Jaxon Kohler scored 23 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. The team averages 78.9 points per game this season.
The Spartans have strong betting trends. They have an 81.8% win rate in all games. As favorites, they have won 84.6% of the time. Against the spread, they have a 69.7% success rate. Their over/under record is 11-22.
North Dakota State Preview
The North Dakota State Bison play in the Summit Conference. They had a strong 2026 regular season with an overall record of 27-7. In conference play, they finished with a 17-2 record.
In recent games, the Bison secured a win against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, 70-62. Damari Wheeler-Thomas scored 19 points in that game. Another key player, Trevian Carson, contributed with 10 rebounds.
Offensively, the Bison average 80.7 points per game. They attempt 68 field goals per game, ranking them 18th in this category. Their effective field goal percentage is 54.7, placing them 67th.
Defensively, the Bison average 9.4 steals per game. They have 2.9 blocks per game. The team commits 15.5 fouls per game.
Statistical Breakdown for Michigan State vs North Dakota State
The game between the Michigan State Spartans and the North Dakota State Bison will feature strong offensive play. The Spartans average 78.9 points per game, while the Bison average 80.7. Both teams have key players who can score and assist. Jeremy Fears Jr. from the Spartans and Damari Wheeler-Thomas from the Bison are players to watch. Rebounding and shooting percentages will also be important in this game.
- Michigan State Spartans Points Per Game: 78.9
- North Dakota State Bison Points Per Game: 80.7
- Spartans Field Goal Percentage: 47.1%
- Bison Field Goal Percentage: 46.2%
- Spartans Rebounds Per Game: 39.8
- Bison Rebounds Per Game: 36.4
- Spartans Assists Per Game: 18.5
- Bison Assists Per Game: 16.4
- Spartans Steals Per Game: 5.1
- Bison Steals Per Game: 9.4
Betting Insights
As North Dakota State Bison take on Michigan State Spartans, bettors have several trends to consider. The Bison have struggled against the spread recently, while the Spartans have been strong in this area. Both teams show different patterns in over/under results, which can influence betting decisions. Here are the top five betting trends for this game:
- Michigan State is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games.
- North Dakota State is 0-3 ATS in their last 3 games.
- Michigan State is 23-10 ATS in all games last season.
- North Dakota State is 6-3 ATS as an underdog.
- Michigan State’s O/U record is 11-22 in all games last season.
Free Betting Prediction for Michigan State vs North Dakota State
The game between Michigan State Spartans and North Dakota State Bison looks to be an exciting one. The Spartans have a strong record and perform well as favorites. Their offense, led by Jeremy Fears Jr., is effective. They average 78.9 points per game and have a high field goal percentage. Their defense is solid, and they have a good record against the spread.
North Dakota State Bison also have a strong offense, averaging 80.7 points per game. They have key players like Damari Wheeler-Thomas who can score well. However, their recent struggles against the spread could be a concern. The Bison’s defense will need to step up to keep the game close.
Considering the strengths of both teams, Michigan State has the edge. They have a better record against the spread and play well at home. The Spartans’ ability to score and defend should help them win. The Bison will need to play their best to keep up.
- Our Free Prediction: Michigan State -16.5
