Whether the No. 3 Michigan State Spartans go deep into the NCAA Tournament or not, the “One Shining Moment” montage will likely feature a highlight reel dunk from Coen Carr.
The Spartans’ high-flyer takes off against the No. 14 North Dakota State Bison in the Round of 64 on Thursday.
Carr doesn’t just play above the rim, though. The 6-foot-6 guard has rounded out his game over the past two months, showing an ability to attack the rim while also knocking down looks from outside.
My North Dakota State vs. Michigan State predictions look to the skies in Buffalo, and our March Madness picks like Carr to come up big for the Green and White on March 19.
North Dakota State vs Michigan State prediction
Who will win North Dakota State vs Michigan State?
Michigan State: It’s tough not to like the Michigan State Spartans to at least win their Round 1 game, and while the North Dakota State Bison can put a scare in Sparty, the No. 3 seed will move forward when the smoke settles.
North Dakota State vs Michigan State best bet: Coen Carr Over 11.5 points (-110)
It’s safe to say North Dakota State hasn’t faced anyone as athletic as Coen Carr this year. The explosively talented guard is a threat in transition and can get to the basket in the half-court, exploiting NDSU’s weakness against isolation sets.
North Dakota State lacks the size inside that Michigan State’s Big Ten opponents usually bring, topping out at 6-foot-9 in the starting lineup. That gives Carr a clear path to attack the rim.
He’s scored 12 or more points in eight of his last 14 games, with projections sitting between 13 and 14 points for Thursday night.
COVERS INTEL: Michigan State ranks 15th in dunks across the land, and Coen Carr is 10th among all players with 61 slams and a 72.4% FG rate at the rim.
North Dakota State vs Michigan State same-game parlay
The Spartans will advance with a couple of alley-oop dunks between Carr and Jeremy Fears.
Fears dished out 13 assists in the loss to UCLA in the Big Ten tournament, and NDSU is one of the softest defenses he’s faced in a while.
North Dakota State vs Michigan State SGP
- Michigan State moneyline
- Coen Carr Over 11.5 points
- Jeremy Fears Over 9.5 assists
Our Big Dance SGP: Beyond the Arc in Buffalo
NDSU is a very good team, especially from beyond the arc, and we’ve seen MSU get burned from deep in recent games.
The Spartans should fight a little fire with fire, knocking down some triples of their own.
North Dakota State vs Michigan State SGP
- North Dakota State +16.5
- Over 143.5
- Damari Wheeler-Thomas Over 2.5 threes
- Jaxson Kohler Over 1.5 threes
North Dakota State vs Michigan State odds
- Spread: North Dakota State +16.5 (-110) | Michigan State -16.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: North Dakota State +825 | Michigan State -2000
- Over/Under: Over 143 (-110) | Under 143 (-110)
North Dakota State vs Michigan State betting trend to know
North Dakota State has covered the 1H spread in 18 of its last 25 games (+10.05 Units / 35% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for North Dakota State vs. Michigan State.
How to watch North Dakota State vs Michigan State
| Location | KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY |
| Date | Thursday, March 19, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 4:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT |
North Dakota State vs Michigan State key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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