Michigan State Spartans vs Oregon Ducks Picks and Predictions March 14th 2025

Michigan State and Oregon Set for High-Stakes Big Ten Quarterfinal Clash

Michigan State entered the season projected to finish fifth in the Big Ten. Fast forward to March, and the seventh-ranked Spartans have shattered expectations, winning the regular-season title by three games and establishing themselves as one of the hottest teams in college basketball.

Now, as the top seed in the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan State (26-5) is set to face eighth-seeded Oregon (24-8) on Friday afternoon in Indianapolis. The matchup features two teams riding serious momentum—the Spartans with a seven-game winning streak and the Ducks with an even hotter eight-game run.

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What’s Michigan State Playing For?

With a dominant finish to the regular season, including five wins over Top 25 teams, Michigan State has all but locked up a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That raises an interesting question: What will drive the Spartans in the Big Ten Tournament?

Head coach Tom Izzo, recently named Big Ten Coach of the Year, knows exactly how to motivate his players.

“Winning ways are winning ways,” Izzo said. “Every time you take the court, if you’re really growing to be special as a person, every time you compete, you’re going to try to compete to win. That’s easier said than done.”

Michigan State’s track record in the Big Ten Tournament has been all over the place. Since the conference introduced the postseason tournament in 1998, the Spartans have reached eight Final Fours. Three times, they won the Big Ten Tournament first. Three times, they lost their opener. Once, they lost in the semifinals, and once, they fell in the final.

“If you lose a game, whether the first or second, you’re going to learn a lesson that’s hard to swallow,” Izzo said. “What I’m going to tell them is, ‘You don’t need to learn the lesson. I’ve been there, done that.’”

For Izzo, this tournament is an opportunity to fine-tune his squad before the big dance, but make no mistake—he wants to win.

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A Balanced Michigan State Attack

The Spartans clinched the Big Ten title without placing a single player on the conference’s first or second all-conference teams. That’s because Izzo relies on a deep, 10-man rotation rather than a single superstar.

Freshman Jase Richardson (11.6 ppg) earned third-team honors and has been electric down the stretch. Since being inserted into the starting lineup on February 8, he has averaged 16.9 points per game while shooting 53% from the field. Senior Jaden Akins (12.9 ppg) also earned third-team honors and has been a consistent presence for the Spartans all season.

Michigan State’s depth, physicality, and disciplined play make them a nightmare for opponents, and Oregon will have to be at its best to keep up.

Oregon’s Redemption Story

Oregon may have entered the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 8 seed, but they have been on fire. The Ducks extended their winning streak to eight games on Thursday with a 72-59 victory over Indiana, setting up a revenge match against Michigan State.

The last time these two teams met was on February 8, and it was a game Oregon would rather forget. The Ducks held a 50-36 lead at halftime, only to see Michigan State storm back and outscore them 50-24 in the second half, resulting in an 86-74 loss.

Sophomore guard Jackson Shelstad, who scored a team-high 18 points in the win over Indiana, hasn’t forgotten how that game slipped away.

“When we played Michigan State the first time, we played really hard the first half, we got a lead,” Shelstad said. “Then the second half we kind of laid our foot off the gas and they went on their run. We just know we have to play a full 40 minutes to compete with them.”

Seven-foot senior Nate Bittle has been a major force during Oregon’s winning streak, averaging 18.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game. He, along with Shelstad, earned third-team All-Big Ten honors.

The Ducks know what they’re up against. Michigan State will bring physicality and defensive intensity for the full 40 minutes. The question is, can Oregon match that energy from start to finish?

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What’s at Stake?

For Michigan State, this is about momentum and preparation for the NCAA Tournament. A strong showing in the Big Ten Tournament could further solidify their No. 2 seed and send a message that they are a legitimate title contender.

For Oregon, this is an opportunity for payback. The Ducks have been playing their best basketball over the past few weeks, and a win over the Spartans would not only avenge their February loss but also strengthen their case for an improved NCAA Tournament seed.

With two of the hottest teams in the Big Ten going head-to-head, expect an intense, physical battle as Michigan State and Oregon fight for a spot in the semifinals.