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Michigan State Spartans and Colorado State Rams square off in the opening round of NCAA Tournament

Colorado State Rams (27-7, 18-5 MWC) vs. Michigan State Spartans (22-8, 11-8 Big Ten)

Norman, Oklahoma; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Spartans -18.5; over/under is 134

BOTTOM LINE: No. 20 Michigan State squares off against Colorado State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Spartans’ record in Big Ten games is 11-8, and their record is 11-0 in non-conference play. Michigan State ranks ninth in the Big Ten at limiting opponent scoring, giving up 65.9 points while holding opponents to 42.9% shooting.

The Rams are 18-5 in MWC play. Colorado State ranks fourth in the MWC shooting 32.5% from 3-point range.

Michigan State averages 7.5 made 3-pointers per game, 1.5 more made shots than the 6.0 per game Colorado State gives up. Colorado State has shot at a 42.1% rate from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points less than the 42.9% shooting opponents of Michigan State have averaged.

TOP PERFORMERS: Grace Vanslooten is averaging 15 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals for the Spartans. Emma Shumate is averaging 1.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Lexus Bargesser is averaging 15.2 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Rams. Brooke Carlson is averaging 14.2 points and 3.9 assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Spartans: 4-6, averaging 77.2 points, 29.5 rebounds, 17.0 assists, 10.0 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 77.4 points per game.

Rams: 9-1, averaging 65.2 points, 33.9 rebounds, 11.9 assists, 5.4 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 42.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 53.4 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Florida center Rueben Chinyelu is coming back for his senior season

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida center Rueben Chinyelu decided Thursday he will return for his senior season to run it back with a stacked frontcourt that helped the Gators win a national championship in 2025. Chinyelu formally removed his name from the NBA draft to play another year with fellow big men Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh. Coach Todd Golden's roster is expected to cost roughly $25 million in 2026-27. Chinyelu went through the NBA pre-draft process and had until May 27 to decide whether to return to school or stay in the draft. The 6-foot-10, 265-pound Nigerian became the first Florida player in 50 years to average a double-double, totaling 10.9 points and 11.2 rebounds a game last season. The Gators were 19-0 when Chinyelu recorded a double-double.
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