Michigan State Spartans AT Syracuse Orangemen
December 7th, 2010 9:30 EST
Opening Line: Michigan State -1.5
Current Line:  Michigan State -4.0

Tonight the 6-2 Spartans of Michigan State take on the undefeated 8-0 Orangemen.  Michigan State’s two losses have come to Duke and Connecticut, both 5 point losses. Last time out, Michigan State pulverized Bowling Green, winning by a score of 74 to 39.  The Spartans are averaging 78.5 points per game and giving up 66.5 per game.  The Orangemen are scoring 69.9 and giving up 58.9, so both teams are averaging double digit win margins.

Syracuse is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games, and the total has gone UNDER In 4 of Syracuse’s last 5.  Syracuse is 1-5 ATS at home this year and 1-6 ATS overall.  Michigan State is 4-4 ATS this season and is 1-1 ATS on the road.

Michigan State is without Russell Byrd 6’7″ freshman and 6’1″ leading scorer senior point guard Kalin Lucas, and Syracuse is missing seven footer DaShonte Riley and seven footer Fab Melo.  Syracuse has six players 6’8″ or taller.

6’7″ junior Kris Joseph leads Syracuse in scoring with 13.8 points per game in only 28 minutes a game.  He is also third on the team in rebounding with 4.9 a game.  Senior forward Rick Jackson is also averaging 13.1 points per game and leading the team in rebounding with 12.4 boards a game.  On November 16th against Detroit, Jackson grabbed 22 rebounds in an 11 piont Syracuse victory.  He is also averaging 1.75 blocks a game.  Point guard Scoop Jardine is averaging 12.5 points per game and 6.9 assists per game, but is shooting a terrible 32.3% from the floor.

Syracuse lacks three point shooters and will look to go inside to Jackson a lot.  Jardine has the ability to get hot but has yet to find his touch this year.

Michigan State may have the services of Kalin Lucas, as he is day to day with his achilles injury.  If Lucas plays, it will go a long way towards helping the Spartans cover the point spread.  Durrell Summers and Draymond Green will have to pick up the scoring void left by Lucas and may be called upon to plaly more than the 28.8 and 27 minutes they are respectively averaging right now.  Green is also counted upon heavily on the glass, where he averages 9.4 rebounds a game.  On defense, he averages 1.8 blocks a game.  Michigan State is loaded with shooters.  They have four players averaging at least 1.5 threes a game and Green has knocked down 13 of 24 for a team best 54%.  If Syracuse is unable to contain Green’s all around stat stuffing dominance, Michigan State will probably win the game as he is the key to their attack.