No. 3 Michigan at No. 7 Michigan State highlights Friday's top games

Wolverines and Spartans clash in top-10 Big Ten showdown, plus best bets for NBA and college basketball

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:07pm

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The top-ranked Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans will meet in a highly anticipated Big Ten clash on Friday night, with both teams tied atop the conference standings. Elsewhere, the Dayton Flyers visit the No. 21 Saint Louis Billikens, while the Toronto Raptors take on the Orlando Magic and the Detroit Pistons face the Golden State Warriors in the NBA.

Why it matters

The Michigan-Michigan State rivalry is one of the fiercest in college basketball, and this year's matchup features two top-10 teams battling for position in the crowded Big Ten race. The other games offer intriguing betting opportunities, with the Billikens looking to continue their strong start and the Raptors and Pistons facing tough road tests.

The details

The Wolverines and Spartans enter the game tied atop the Big Ten standings with Nebraska and Illinois. Michigan is a slim 1.5-point favorite, but Michigan State has won the last four meetings and seven of the last nine. The Billikens are led by the bespectacled Robbie Avila and boast the nation's best field goal percentage defense, while the Raptors have been stifling on the road and the Pistons will look to avoid consecutive losses.

  • The Michigan-Michigan State game tips off at 8 p.m. Eastern on Friday, January 30, 2026.
  • The Dayton-Saint Louis game starts at 8 p.m. Eastern on Friday, January 30, 2026.
  • The Raptors-Magic game tips off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday, January 30, 2026.
  • The Pistons-Warriors game starts at 10 p.m. Eastern on Friday, January 30, 2026.

The players

Darryn Peterson

The Kansas Jayhawks player currently projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

AJ Dybantsa

The BYU Cougars player currently projected to be the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Robbie Avila

The bespectacled star player for the Saint Louis Billikens, who hit a game-winning 3-pointer against George Washington earlier this week.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think Sparty is nearly as talented and should be a home dog, but MSU is almost never as talented as the top teams yet keeps winning thanks to Tom Izzo.”

— Matt Severance, SportsLine Expert (CBSSports.com)

“The 20-1 Bills have been pushed to the edge a couple of times in the past 10 days against Duquesne and GW, and are wearing an awfully big target in the A-10.”

— Bruce Marshall, SportsLine Expert (CBSSports.com)

“We still view the current version of the Warriors quite warily, with no Jimmy Butler or Jonathan Kuminga, and losing three of five minus Butler, with Wednesday's win at Utah hardly a buy signal.”

— Bruce Marshall, SportsLine Expert (CBSSports.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Michigan-Michigan State game will claim a key victory in the crowded Big Ten race, while the other matchups offer opportunities for bettors to capitalize on potential upsets or high-scoring affairs.

The takeaway

Friday's slate of games features several intriguing storylines, from the top-10 clash in the Big Ten to the Raptors and Pistons looking to continue their strong road play. The betting lines and expert analysis provide valuable insights for sports fans and bettors alike.