Michigan State Dominates North Dakota State in NCAA Tournament
Thursday, March 19, 2026, 4:27 PM ET · KeyBank Center
Michigan State Spartans 92, North Dakota State Bison 67, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won North Dakota State Bison vs Michigan State Spartans?
Michigan State Spartans beat North Dakota State Bison 92-67 at KeyBank Center on March 19, 2026.
Who was favored in North Dakota State Bison vs Michigan State Spartans?
Michigan State Spartans were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1650 (about 94% implied). The favorite won.
In an impressive display of basketball, the Michigan State Spartans triumphed over the North Dakota State Bison with a final score of 92-67. This matchup took place at the KeyBank Center on March 19, 2026, and showcased Michigan State's strong performance, particularly in the second half, where they outscored the Bison significantly.
Michigan State entered the game with a home record of 26-7, while North Dakota State had a slightly better away record of 27-8. Despite their recent struggles, with the Spartans losing their last two games before this matchup, they managed to turn things around against the Bison. In their last ten games, Michigan State had a record of 6-4, averaging 78.5 points scored and allowing 77.2 points per game. Their recent form included losses to UCLA and Michigan, but they had previously secured wins against teams like Rutgers and Indiana.
On the other hand, North Dakota State came into the game riding a four-game winning streak, boasting an 8-2 record in their last ten outings. They averaged 79.3 points scored and allowed only 67.7 points per game during that stretch. Their last few games included victories over the North Dakota Fighting Hawks and Omaha Mavericks, which contributed to their confidence heading into this tournament matchup.
The odds for this game, provided by DraftKings, had Michigan State favored by 16.5 points, with a total set at 144.5. The Spartans were given a moneyline of -1650, indicating a strong expectation of victory, while the Bison were at +950.
As the game progressed, Michigan State's dominance became clear. They established control early and maintained it throughout the contest. The scoring plays highlighted key moments, including a late three-pointer by Jesse McCulloch that capped off the Spartans' scoring at 92 points. The Bison struggled to keep pace, particularly in the second half, where they were outscored decisively.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams were expected to field their regular lineups. The conditions in the KeyBank Center were conducive to a high-scoring game, with a lively crowd supporting the Spartans.
For viewers, this game was a showcase of Michigan State's offensive capabilities and their ability to capitalize on defensive lapses from North Dakota State. The Spartans' scoring average of 81.6 points in their last five games hinted at their potential to dominate, and they certainly delivered on that front.
Overall, this matchup was significant not only for the result but also for how it illustrated the contrasting trajectories of both teams leading into the tournament. Michigan State's ability to bounce back and perform at a high level against a formidable opponent like North Dakota State sets a promising tone for their tournament run.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MSU -16.5 | 144.5 o -105 / u -115 | North Dakota State Bison +950 · Michigan State Spartans -1650 |
Leaders
- PointsCarson Cooper20Michigan State Spartans
- AssistsJeremy Fears Jr.11Michigan State Spartans
- ReboundsCarson Cooper10Michigan State Spartans
- PointsDamari Wheeler-Thomas16North Dakota State Bison
- AssistsTrevian Carson6North Dakota State Bison
- ReboundsTrevian Carson7North Dakota State Bison
Recent form
Michigan State Spartans
Last 10: 6-4Streak L278.5 scored · 77.2 allowed per game4-1 at home
- L84-88vs UCLA BruinsMar 14
- L80-90at Michigan WolverinesMar 8
- W91-87vs Rutgers Scarlet KnightsMar 6
- W77-64at Indiana HoosiersMar 1
- W76-74at Purdue BoilermakersFeb 27
- W66-60vs Ohio State BuckeyesFeb 22
- W82-59vs UCLA BruinsFeb 18
- L71-92at Wisconsin BadgersFeb 14
- W85-82vs Illinois Fighting IlliniFeb 8
- L73-76at Minnesota Golden GophersFeb 5
North Dakota State Bison
Last 10: 8-2Streak W479.3 scored · 67.7 allowed per game2-1 away
- W70-62vs North Dakota Fighting HawksMar 9
- W74-50vs Omaha MavericksMar 8
- W76-65vs Oral Roberts Golden EaglesMar 6
- W96-63vs North Dakota Fighting HawksFeb 28
- L62-84at St. Thomas TommiesFeb 27
- W95-59vs Kansas City RoosFeb 21
- W74-66at South Dakota State JackrabbitsFeb 19
- W83-66at North Dakota Fighting HawksFeb 14
- W92-84vs Omaha MavericksFeb 7
- L71-78vs Denver PioneersFeb 6
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State | 27-8 | - | 14-2 |
| St. Thomas | 24-10 | 2 | 12-4 |
| North Dakota | 18-17 | 4 | 10-6 |
| South Dakota | 16-16 | 6 | 8-8 |
| Omaha | 16-17 | 6 | 8-8 |
| Denver | 15-17 | 7 | 8-8 |
| South Dakota State | 14-18 | 7 | 7-9 |
| Oral Roberts | 10-23 | 10 | 4-12 |
| Kansas City | 4-27 | 13 | 1-15 |
| Michigan | 37-3 | - | 19-1 |
| Nebraska | 28-7 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Michigan State | 27-8 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Illinois | 28-9 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Wisconsin | 24-11 | 5 | 14-6 |
| Purdue | 30-9 | 6 | 13-7 |
| UCLA | 24-12 | 6 | 13-7 |
| Ohio State | 21-13 | 7 | 12-8 |
| Iowa | 24-13 | 9 | 10-10 |
| Indiana | 18-14 | 10 | 9-11 |
| Minnesota | 15-18 | 11 | 8-12 |
| USC | 18-14 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Washington | 16-17 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Rutgers | 14-20 | 13 | 6-14 |
| Northwestern | 15-19 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Oregon | 12-20 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Maryland | 12-21 | 15 | 4-16 |
| Penn State | 12-20 | 16 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | North Dakota State Bison | Michigan State Spartans |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-57 | 33-56 |
| Field goal % | 44 | 59 |
| Three-pointers | 6-25 | 10-20 |
| Three-point % | 24 | 50 |
| Free throws | 11-17 | 16-18 |
| Free throw % | 65 | 89 |
| Rebounds | 23 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 4 | 4 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 31 |
| Assists | 13 | 26 |
| Steals | 6 | 5 |
| Blocks | 1 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 15 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 15 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 44 |
| Fouls | 17 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 3 | 28 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 6 | 92 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half29-56Jordan Scott makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jeremy Fears Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half31-56Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half33-56Trevian Carson makes layup
- 2nd Half33-58Coen Carr makes 2-foot dunk (Jordan Scott assists)
- 2nd Half33-61Jeremy Fears Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Carson Cooper assists)
- 2nd Half35-61Markhi Strickland makes 10-foot jumper (Damari Wheeler-Thomas assists)
- 2nd Half36-61Treyson Anderson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-61Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes 13-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half41-61Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes 26-foot three point jumper (Trevian Carson assists)
- 2nd Half41-63Jeremy Fears Jr. makes driving layup
- 2nd Half43-63Emil Skytta makes layup (Trevian Carson assists)
- 2nd Half43-65Carson Cooper makes layup (Coen Carr assists)
- 2nd Half46-65Tay Smith makes 26-foot three point jumper (Treyson Anderson assists)
- 2nd Half46-67Coen Carr makes 2-foot dunk (Jeremy Fears Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half46-69Cam Ward makes 3-foot dunk (Kur Teng assists)
- 2nd Half48-69Treyson Anderson makes 7-foot jumper (Trevian Carson assists)
- 2nd Half49-69Treyson Anderson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-72Jaxon Kohler makes 24-foot three point jumper (Trey Fort assists)
- 2nd Half50-72Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-72Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-75Jordan Scott makes 28-foot three point jumper (Denham Wojcik assists)
- 2nd Half51-76Cam Ward makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-76Emil Skytta makes 26-foot three point jumper (Trevian Carson assists)
- 2nd Half56-76Trevian Carson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half59-76Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes 24-foot three point jumper (Trevian Carson assists)
- 2nd Half59-77Jaxon Kohler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-77Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-77Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-79Coen Carr makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half61-82Coen Carr makes 23-foot three point jumper (Kur Teng assists)
- 2nd Half61-83Coen Carr makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-84Coen Carr makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-84Noah Feddersen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-84Noah Feddersen makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-84Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes layup
- 2nd Half67-84Treyson Anderson makes layup (Andy Stefonowicz assists)
- 2nd Half67-86Trey Fort makes driving layup
- 2nd Half67-87Trey Fort makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half67-89Cam Ward makes 3-foot dunk (Trey Fort assists)
- 2nd Half67-92Jesse McCulloch makes 28-foot three point jumper (Nick Sanders assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Michigan State Spartans, below favours North Dakota State Bison.
Venue
- KeyBank CenterBuffalo, NY
- Attendance17182
- OfficialsJustin Porterfield, Jeffrey Anderson, Olandis Poole
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