Michigan State is one win away from getting back to the Final Four for the first time since 2019. Jase Richardson has taken his game to a new level in the NCAA Tournament, spearheading a Spartans team that has rounded into a legitimate title threat. They will now face their toughest test yet facing the No. 1 overall seed Auburn Tigers.
Auburn took down the Spartans’ cross-state rival in the previous matchup, defeating Michigan 78-65. The game was closer than the score indicates with Michigan holding a lead with 10 minutes left to play. Auburn also defeated Creighton 82-70 in the second round after opening the tournament with an 83-63 victory over Alabama State. Michigan State has defeated Bryant, New Mexico State and Ole Miss to reach the Elite Eight.
Auburn enters the matchup as 4.5-point favorites and -225 on the moneyline. Michigan State holds +185 odds on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook with the game total set at 147.5.
Ahead of Sunday’s showdown, here is my favorite Richardson player prop bet to place on DraftKings Sportsbook.
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Best Jase Richardson prop bets vs. Auburn
While there are no typical over/under lines offered for college prop bets, you can bet Richardson to record 16+ points, 5+ rebounds, 2+ assists, 2+ made three-pointers, or 22+ points, rebounds and assists all for -125 odds or better on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Richardson is averaging 12.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists this year. The freshman guard is shooting 42% from beyond the three-point arc on 3.2 perimeter shots per game.
Michigan State has played a team-oriented style of basketball with any given player capable of stepping up in a game. Seven different players on the roster average at least seven points per game. However, it has become increasingly evident as the season has progressed that Richardson is their most talented player. He is coming off a 20-point, six-rebound performance in the victory over Ole Miss.
While the well-rounded style of play is important to note, Richardson is going to have the ball in his hands when it matters most. His role has gradually grown throughout the season with the 19-year-old not joining the starting lineup until the 22nd game of the season. Across his final 14 games as a starter, Richardson averaged 16.5 points per game and recorded 16+ points in seven games.
Auburn is a difficult opponent who can impose itself on both sides of the ball. The Tigers have limited opponents to 69.3 points per game which ranks 88th in the country. However, the Tigers also have a bad habit of being way too willing to play with their food and allow opponents to linger. They can look like the best team in the country when they play their best basketball, but they seem to stumble over themselves in many games.
Richardson is the type of player built to capitalize on this, so expect a few stretches of this game where he carries the offense. Look for him to continue building off his strong stretch of games and replicate his 20-point performance in the previous round. For the sake of this article, I am locking in Richardson to score 16+ points at -125 odds but also will take a swing at 18+ points at +130 odds and 20+ points at +225 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Best Bet: Jase Richardson 16+ Points (-125)
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