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Michigan State vs. Ohio State live stream: Betting odds, TV channel, prediction

By Mike Phillips

Jan 28, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) protects the ball from Rutgers Scarlet Knights center Cliff Omoruyi (5) during the first half at Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC). Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) protects the ball from Rutgers Scarlet Knights center Cliff Omoruyi (5) during the first half at Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC). Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State is reeling and needs a win at Ohio State to boost their NCAA Tournament chances.

It hasn’t been a pretty year for blue bloods in college basketball and Michigan State is no exception. The Spartans returned from a lengthy COVID pause this week and were embarrassed in a 67-37 loss at Rutgers, the first time that Michigan State has ever lost to the Scarlet Knights.

That loss was the latest in a string of bad Big Ten defeats for the Spartans, who are now on the wrong side of the bubble after that game. Michigan State looked like a team that hadn’t played in nearly three weeks and now is staring at a must-win scenario as they hit the road to take on Ohio State.

The Buckeyes have won five of their last six games, including a gritty four-point victory over Penn State earlier this week. E.J. Liddell led the way for Ohio State with 22 points, including the go-ahead free throws with 59.7 seconds left to help the Buckeyes survive a spirited effort from the Nittany Lions.

This matchup could prove to be advantageous for Ohio State, which is well-positioned to take advantage of the defensive struggles that Michigan State has had. The Spartans have surrendered 71 points per game on the year, an uncharacteristically poor performance out of a Tom Izzo-led team.

With a trip to Iowa looming on Tuesday this contest feels like a last-stand type game for the Spartans. A loss here could mean major trouble for Michigan State, which has squandered a 6-0 start in non-conference play and is in jeopardy of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997.

How to bet and watch Michigan State at Ohio State

    • Date: Sunday, Jan. 31
    • Time: 1 p.m. ET
    • Location: Columbus, OH
    • Venue: Value City Arena
    • TV: CBS
    • Live Stream: CBS Sports App
    • Line: Ohio State -7.5 (FanDuel)
    • Prediction: Ohio State 74, Michigan State 66

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