This is the third straight weekend in which these rivals meet, and it only makes me more confident in the Under. Both play a style of defense that forces offenses to use up the shot clock whether they want to or not, and both are now more than familiar with one another due to recent games. They know what the other team wants to do, which will only help the defense, as will the fact it's each team's third game in three days.

Izzo owns Beilein. Nothing has changed since the last meeting, when State won by 12 at Ann Arbor. The Spartans played a good game Saturday and I expect they’ll take care of business once again.

Eight of the past 10 games between these two went Over the closing total, but none of those were for the Big Ten championship. Michigan's defense is playing at another level, allowing just 56 points per game over the last 10. In the Wolverines' last 12 wins, they are allowing just 53 points per game. Michigan State has a top-4 offense but also the No. 9-ranked defense. My projection: Michigan State 62, Michigan 61.