Michigan State Spartans vs Florida Atlantic Owls Picks and Predictions December 21st 2024

High-Powered Offenses Collide as Florida Atlantic Visits No. 20 Michigan State

Fans in East Lansing, Mich., are set for an exciting showdown on Saturday afternoon as Florida Atlantic takes on No. 20 Michigan State in a clash of high-octane offenses. Both teams feature balanced scoring and dynamic playmakers, setting the stage for a fast-paced contest.

Florida Atlantic’s Offensive Depth

Florida Atlantic (7-5) boasts an impressive scoring average of 86.1 points per game, with five players in double figures and eight contributing at least eight points per game. The Owls are led by Kaleb Glenn (13.9 points per game), Leland Walker (11.1), Baba Miller (10.9), Tre Carroll (10.4), and Matas Vokietaitis (10.0).

The team’s efficiency stands out, shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from 3-point range. After an 89-80 win over Texas State last Saturday, the Owls have had ample time to prepare for their road test against the Spartans.

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First-year head coach John Jakus emphasized the importance of limiting Michigan State’s dominance on the boards and stopping their transition offense.

“If you turn the ball over there, you are going to be calling timeout, and if you don’t box out, you are going to have a long night,” Jakus said.

Michigan State’s Balanced Attack

Michigan State (9-2) enters the game riding a hot streak, having won seven of its last eight games. The Spartans are averaging 81.8 points per game, fueled by a deep roster where eight players contribute at least seven points per contest.

Senior guard Jaden Akins leads the Spartans with 13.4 points per game, while freshman guard Jase Richardson adds 10.0 points per game. Junior forward Jaxon Kohler anchors the team on the glass, averaging 8.5 rebounds per game.

In their most recent outing, Michigan State defeated Oakland University 77-58 on Tuesday. The game featured a breakout performance from sophomore center Xavier Booker, a former five-star recruit who had struggled to find his footing at the college level. Booker tallied a career-high 18 points and six rebounds, a performance that head coach Tom Izzo sees as a turning point.

“He’s making progress,” Izzo said. “He’s practiced a lot better since Maui. He’s becoming efficient, better defensively, and he blocked a couple shots. That would be a big addition to our team.”

The Key Matchups

Rebounding will be a critical factor in this game, as Michigan State enters with a dominant plus-12.2 rebounding margin. Florida Atlantic will need to focus on boxing out and limiting second-chance opportunities for the Spartans.

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Transition defense is another area of focus for the Owls, as Michigan State thrives on pushing the tempo after turnovers.

A Brief History

This marks just the second meeting between the two programs. Michigan State claimed an 82-55 victory in their first encounter back in November 2015.

What’s at Stake

For Michigan State, a win would solidify their momentum heading into the Big Ten schedule. Florida Atlantic, meanwhile, looks to make a statement against a ranked opponent and build confidence as they navigate their season under a new head coach.

With two dynamic offenses set to face off, fans can expect a thrilling battle in East Lansing.