Elite Eight Showdown: Spartans vs. Tigers
Okay, basketball fans, get ready! This Sunday, March 30th, at 5:05 PM EST, we've got a real nail-biter: Michigan State Spartans (30-6) facing off against the Auburn Tigers (31-5) in the Elite Eight. A spot in the Final Four is on the line, folks, and this one's shaping up to be a doozy.
How They Got Here
Auburn earned their Elite Eight spot with a pretty convincing 78-65 win over Michigan. They were down early, but then—boom!—a huge 39-17 run in the second half. Tahaad Pettiford led the charge with 20 points. Meanwhile, Michigan State pulled off a comeback win against Ole Miss, 73-70, after being down at halftime. That win sent Tom Izzo to his eleventh Elite Eight appearance in 26 years—seriously, the man is a legend! Jase Richardson put up 20 points for the Spartans.
Catch the Game!
Date: Sunday, March 30, 2025
Time: 5:05 PM EST
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Watch it on: CBS
Betting Odds and My Take (Gamble Responsibly!)
As of Saturday, BetMGM has Auburn as the favorite (-235) against Michigan State (+195). The spread's at -5.5 points, and the over/under is set at 149.5 points. NBC Sports Bet's model suggests betting on Auburn covering the spread (-5.5), but they advise against betting the moneyline or the total. Honestly, I'm a little torn. Auburn's been on fire lately, but Michigan State's experience under Izzo is a huge factor. This one could be closer than the odds suggest.
Numbers Don't Lie (But They Can Be Tricky)
- Auburn's covered the spread in their last two tournament games, after failing to do so in their previous five—a pretty dramatic turnaround!
- The under has hit in all three of Michigan State's NCAA Tournament games.
- Michigan State's been hot lately, 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games, even though they didn't cover in their Sweet Sixteen win. Go figure!
What to Watch For
Auburn's recent hot streak is undeniable, but Michigan State's got that Izzo-coached grit and strong offensive rebounding. How well the Spartans can exploit Auburn's weaknesses on the boards will be huge. And Auburn's perimeter shooting and ability to shake off slow starts will be just as crucial. This one could easily go down to the wire!
The Final Word
This Michigan State vs. Auburn game? It's shaping up to be a classic. Both teams are incredibly talented and tough, making this a must-watch game. Tune in to CBS on Sunday—you won't want to miss it!
