Michigan State favored to win NCAA Tournament opener

March has arrived, and the Michigan State Spartans are gearing up for the NCAA Tournament. They will begin their journey on Friday night against the No. 15 seed Bryant Bulldogs in Cleveland, Ohio. To win the championship, the Spartans need to win six games, something they haven’t done since 2000. Caesars Sportsbook has given Michigan State the best chance to win the tournament. FanDuel Sportsbook offers the best value with odds at +3300. Currently, the Spartans have the eighth-best odds, while the Duke Blue Devils are the favorites at +290. The team is known for its strong offensive and defensive efficiency, ranking 27th and 5th, respectively. These stats are similar to past championship-winning teams. Michigan State is led by star guards Jase Richardson and Jaden Akins, with Richardson averaging over 16 points per game recently. The team's depth is also a significant advantage, with ten players averaging over 13 minutes per game. Betting odds may change quickly as tournament games unfold. Michigan State is a favorite to win against Bryant by a margin of 17 to 17.5 points, depending on the sportsbook. Head coach Tom Izzo, who has an impressive March Madness record, aims to make another deep run. He has taken the team to the Sweet 16 numerous times and has a strong history of success. However, upsets are common in the tournament. In 2016, Michigan State, as a two-seed, was knocked out in the first round by No. 15-seed Middle Tennessee, one of the biggest surprises in tournament history. Betting on the Spartans to reach the Sweet 16 may be the best option, given Izzo’s track record in the tournament.