Michigan State Spartans Final Four Basketball: Linking Laconically Likes the Odds

Big Ten Powerhouse tried to figure out the value of this MSU Final Four run:

The answers from every fan or analyst will undoubtedly differ. It's easy to call this the best run Izzo has ever had, because it's the one that just unfolded in front of our eyes. This Final Four does not define Tom Izzo or Michigan State, nor should it change vastly change the public's opinion of either. It merely confirms what we already knew coming in.

I think the benefits are paying off just about immediately:

Elite junior Josh Jackson announced his final nine schools: Mich St., UNC, Duke, KU, L'Ville, UK, Arizona, UCLA, NCSU http://t.co/MR4M99kNyS

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 26, 2015

Jackson is a bona-fide five star and probable top-5 player in the class of 2016. KenPom's recruiting projections give MSU the best shot at landing him. I don't know much more than that. That's a really impressive Top 9.

Thoughts go out to Mateen and his family:

Sad news. MT @chrissolari: Flint funeral home confirmed Herbert Cleaves, father of Mateen, died Thursday. Funeral arrangements are pending.

— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) April 3, 2015

Also, here are some interesting prop bets from Bovada:

Michigan State vs Duke
(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Team Points - Michigan State
Over /Under 67

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Team Points - Duke
Over /Under 72

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Points - Travis Trice (MSU)
Over /Under 17½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Assists - Travis Trice (MSU)
Over /Under 4

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total 3 Point Shots Made - Travis Trice (MSU)
Over 2½ (-180, 5/9)
Under 2½ (+140, 7/5)

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Points - Denzel Valentine (MSU)
Over /Under 14½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Rebounds - Denzel Valentine (MSU)
Over /Under 6½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Assists - Denzel Valentine (MSU)
Over /Under 4½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total 3 Point Shots Made - Denzel Valentine (MSU)
Over /Under 2½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Points - Branden Dawson (MSU)
Over /Under 12½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Rebounds - Branden Dawson (MSU)
Over /Under 8½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Points - Bryn Forbes (MSU)
Over /Under 8½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Points & Rebounds - Matt Costello (MSU)
Over /Under 9½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Points - Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
Over /Under 17½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Rebounds - Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
Over /Under 7½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Blocks - Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
Over 1½ (-150, 2/3)
Under 1½ (+110, 11/10)

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Points - Quinn Cook (Duke)
Over /Under 14½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total 3 Point Shots Made - Quinn Cook (Duke)
Over 2½ (EVEN, 1/1)
Under 2½ (-140, 5/7)

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Points - Justise Winslow (Duke)
Over /Under 13½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Rebounds - Justise Winslow (Duke)
Over /Under 7½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Points - Tyus Jones (Duke)
Over /Under 11½

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Assists - Tyus Jones (Duke)
Over 5½ (-160, 5/8)
Under 5½ (+120, 6/5)

(Michigan State vs Duke) - Total Made 3 Point Shots in the game
Over /Under 13½

Some interesting stuff in there. I'd take the over on Trice assists, personally.

Anyways: #BeatDuke