Kentucky Wildcats guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) during a game at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Michigan State Spartans (3-0) and Kentucky Wildcats (3-1) meet for a Tuesday neutral-site game in New York, New York. Game 1 of Madison Square Garden's 2-game State Farm Champions Classic will tip off at 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NCAA basketball odds around the Michigan State vs. Kentucky odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

No. 18 Michigan State is returning to action after defeating +24 San Jose State 79-60 (Under 144) Thursday. For a third straight game, the Spartans scuffled in shooting the basketball (6-for-25 from 3-point range), but MSU continues to be strong on the boards and on defense. KenPom efficiency figures peg the Spartans in the nation's top-5 in offensive rebounding and in overall defense.

No. 13 Kentucky heads to New York after covering a -36.5 (Friday vs. Eastern Illinois) in its last game. The Wildcats routed the Panthers 99-53 (Over 148) in a contest that marked a rebound from a Nov. 11 loss to Louisville.

Tuesday's action at Madison Square Garden will include this tilt followed by No. 23 Kansas vs. No. 4 Duke.

– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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Michigan State vs. Kentucky odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:05 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Michigan State +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Kentucky -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Michigan State +5.5 (-115) | Kentucky -5.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 153.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Michigan State vs. Kentucky picks and predictions

Prediction

Kentucky 79, Michigan State 72

Moneyline

No interest; PASS.

Against the spread

The Spartans and Wildcats have met 3 times in the last decade, the last being in 2022 (86-77 overtime win by MSU). UK won meetings in 2016 and 2019.

Michigan State did play current-No. 22 Arkansas in its second game, and the Spartans covered a -2.5 with a 69-66 triumph. But MSU was down by 5 at halftime of that game, and only a final-minute surge in the second half earned the home win for the Spartans, who shot the ball poorly.

The road tilt at Louisville -- a 96-88 loss to the Cardinals -- may have the Wildcats more prepared for this top-flight, neutral-site tussle. UK is the current KenPom No. 8 on offense and No. 10 on defense. The Wildcats are exceptional in defending the perimeter, and that may well be a big key in nursing a 3-possession lead in the waning seconds.

Tom Izzo's Michigan State squads have faltered in their first November neutral-hardwood game each of the last 2 seasons.

KENTUCKY -5.5 (-105) has some leverage.

Over/Under

The last 7 MSU games in November have seen the Under go 5-2.

Neither side is overly reliant on 3's, and the inside looks will be contested to the hilt throughout. Don't expect turnover-transition ball to balloon this one either.

With the early tip time on a neutral floor, peg the UNDER 153.5 (-110) as the strongest play on this game.

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Michigan State Spartans vs. Kentucky Wildcats odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Skip Snow, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

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