Expert prediction
NCAA Second Round: Louisville vs Michigan State Preview, Odds, Predictions (March 21)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- The Cardinals took down USF in the first round.
- The Spartans torched North Dakota State in the Round of 64.
- This marks the 13th all-time matchup between the two squads.
There is a battle between the ACC and Big Ten happening in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament as the Louisville Cardinals duke it out with the Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans stand out as a slight favorite, showing how the Cardinals will be busy in trying to gain the upper hand in this game.
How to Watch
- When: Saturday, March 21, 2:45 pm ET
- Where: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
- How to Watch: CBS
NCAA Matchup Odds & Lines
| Team | Odds | Spread | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | -112 | +5 | O152 |
| Michigan State | -108 | -5 | U152 |
Game Preview
The Cardinals (24-10) advanced to the Round of 32 as they got fended off a late rally from the USF Bulls to secure the win. Four Cardinals finished in double figures led by Isaac McKneely who poured in 23 points, going 8-for-11 from the field while matching a career high seven 3-pointers. Ryan Conwell chipped in 18 points along with six assists and four rebounds. Sananda Fru recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 boards and J’Vonne Hadley added 10 points and five rebounds.
The Spartans (26-7) simply outmatched North Dakota State on both sides of the ball, blowing them out in convincing fashion. Carson Cooper hit 7-of-9 shots from the floor and all six free throws while grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds to lead four players in double figures. Coen Carr scored 17 points and grabbed four rebounds, while Jaxon Kohler scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds and Cam Ward chipped in 11 points. Jeremy Fears Jr. scored seven points and handed out a game-high 11 assists.
Louisville vs Michigan State Head-to-Head
The two programs have had 12 meetings in their history, and the result is 6-6 for the squads. The last matchup was in December 2021 when Michigan State won 73-64.
Louisville vs Michigan State Predictions
The winner of this matchup will go to the Sweet 16 and take on the victors between UCLA and UConn next week. This game looks to be a close one with both teams possessing elite talent. Ryan Conwell and Jeremy Fears Jr. will need to have strong performances for their respective teams to have the best chance of moving on to the next round. Our betting pick here is the Spartans to defend a 5-point spread.
- Free NCAAB pick: Michigan State Spartans -5
NCAAB
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