The No. 12 Michigan State Spartans (13-2, 3-1 Big Ten) host the Northwestern Wildcats (8-6, 0-3 Big Ten) after winning four home games in a row. The Spartans are double-digit favorites by 12.5 points in the contest, which tips at 6:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The matchup has an over/under of 142.5 points.
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Michigan State Cover -12.5 vs Northwestern -112
Michigan State vs. Northwestern betting lines
- Michigan State moneyline odds to win: -1000
- Northwestern moneyline odds to win: +643
- Spread: Michigan State (-12.5)
- Total: 142.5
Michigan State statistics, trends and more
As the home team
- Michigan State covered the spread in a lower percentage of its home games than away games last season. Michigan State covered 10 times in 16 games at home, and it covered seven times in nine games when playing on the road.
- In home games last season, the Spartans went over the total 25% of the time (four of 16 games). They hit the over more consistently on the road, topping the total in 33.3% of games (three of nine).
- Michigan State played better as a moneyline favorite in home games last year, putting up a home record of 15-1 home record, compared to going 3-1 in away games.
Recent trends
- The Spartans have scored 79.1 points per game over their last 10 contests, the same amount they’ve racked up on average this season.
- The past 10 games have seen Michigan State concede 0.5 more points per game (64.9) than its season-long average (64.4).
- The Spartans’ past 10 contests have seen them make 8.5 three-pointers per game while shooting 39.9% from beyond the arc. Both numbers are up from their 2025-26 averages of 7.8 makes and 36.3%.
Michigan State betting records this season
- ATS Record: 8-7-0 (Home: 4-5-0; Away: 1-1-0)
- ATS Record When Favored by 12.5+: 2-5-0 (As Favorite: 6-6-0; As Underdog: 2-1-0)
- O-U-P: 5-10-0 (Home: 3-6-0; Away: 1-1-0)
- Record When Moneyline Favorite: 12-0 (Home: 8-0; Away: 1-0)
- Record When Moneyline Underdog: 1-2 (Home: 0-1; Away: 0-1)
| Field Goal % | Opp. Field Goal % | Rebounds | Opp. Rebounds | Assists | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46.3 (131st in nation) | 38.4 (16th) | 39.8 (eighth) | 26.2 (11th) | 19.3 (ninth) | 11.9 (216th) |
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Northwestern statistics, trends and more
As the away team
- Against the spread last year, Northwestern had better results away (6-5-0) than at home (7-9-1).
- Wildcats games finished above the over/under 64.7% of the time at home (11 of 17) last year, and 81.8% of the time away (nine of 11).
- The Wildcats’ winning percentage at home as moneyline underdogs was .333 (2-4) last year, and on the road it was .182 (2-9).
Last season stats
- Last season the Wildcats posted 72.4 points per game (218th-ranked in college basketball) and ceded 69.2 points per contest (85th-ranked).
- Last season Northwestern averaged 30.6 boards per game (266th-ranked in college basketball) and gave up 30.8 rebounds per contest (153rd-ranked).
- The Wildcats ranked 105th in college basketball with 14.5 dimes per contest.
Northwestern betting records this season
- ATS Record: 4-10-0 (Home: 3-5-0; Away: 0-2-0)
- O-U-P: 9-5-0 (Home: 4-4-0; Away: 2-0-0)
- Record When Moneyline Favorite: 8-3 (Home: 6-2; Away: 1-0)
- Record When Moneyline Underdog: 0-3 (Home: 0-0; Away: 0-1)
| Field Goal % | Opp. Field Goal % | Rebounds | Opp. Rebounds | Assists | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48.9 (44th in nation) | 41.3 (79th) | 30.4 (284th) | 30.5 (149th) | 18.6 (21st) | 8.4 (second) |
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