The other half of Final Four action on Saturday is Michigan State against Butler. It’s fitting that they face each other since they are the most unlikely entrants into the Final Four since George Mason pulled it off in 2006.
Michigan State had a very fortunate road through a difficult Midwest bracket. #1 Kansas, #2 Ohio State and #3 Georgetown all lost by other teams. Still, the Spartans had close victories in each round with #12 New Mexico State, #4 Maryland, #9 Northern Iowa and #6 Tennessee. The largest deficit was the 7-point win over Northern Iowa. The Spartans have shown they can deliver in high-pressure situations.
Butler had an easy road at the start of the tournament but picked it up in the later rounds to get to the Final Four. The Bulldogs beat #12 UTEP and #13 Murray State in the first two rounds and then turned it on against #1 Syracuse and #2 Kansas State. Who would have thought that no team would be able to get past the Horizon League champions? The Bulldogs’ swarming defense has carried them this far and their Cinderella story may be enough incentive to get them in the National Championship game.
Michigan State has lost a lot of experience and veteran leadership with Kalin Lucas out. No Horizon League team has ever made it to the Final Four. Butler owns the nation’s longest winning streak at 24 games. Michigan State made it to the National Championship last year. The Spartans are 7-1 SU in the last eight games and 4-2 ATS in the last six. Butler is 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in the last five games. The total has gone under in five of Butler’s last six games.
Michigan State vs. Butler Odds
Michigan State: 1/1 Ladbrokes
Butler: 1.84 Titan Bet