The Colgate Raiders take on the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing, MI. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on B1G+.
Michigan State is favored by -22.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -8000. The total is set at 144.5 points.
Here’s my Colgate vs. Michigan State predictions and college basketball picks for November 3, 2025.
Colgate vs Michigan State Prediction
My Pick: Colgate +20.5
My Colgate vs Michigan State best bet is on the Raiders to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Colgate vs. Michigan State Odds, Spread
| Colgate Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+22.5 -110 | 144.5 -110 / -110 | +1800 |
| Michigan St Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-22.5 -110 | 144.5 -110 / -110 | -8000 |
Colgate vs Michigan State NCAAB Betting Preview
Colgate Basketball
Colgate head coach Matt Langel has built one of the best mid-major programs in the country. Through 14 seasons, the Raiders have won multiple Patriot League titles and clinched five consecutive NCAA Tournament berths before taking a step back last season for the first time in six years.
It was a humbling campaign for Langel and his team, as Colgate finished 14-19 overall.
Despite the down year, Langel hasn't made major personnel changes this offseason, with the Raiders bringing back 10 rotation players. They were picked third in the Patriot League's preseason poll, signaling that most pundits expect a return to form.
Colgate is an experienced group — last season, it ranked 62nd nationally in minutes continuity, a mark that should improve with so many key pieces returning. The Raiders' projected starting lineup features five upperclassmen, headlined by star guard Jalen Cox, a preseason first-team All-Patriot League selection.
Even during last year's struggles, Colgate was a feisty opponent for power programs. The Raiders nearly upset Syracuse on the road, falling 74-72 in the third game of the season.
They also held their own at Kentucky, losing by just 11 points but covering comfortably. It was the closest margin of victory Kentucky had against a mid-major opponent last season.
With so much experience back, it's reasonable to expect Colgate to keep things interesting against Michigan State.
Michigan State Basketball
On the other side, Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans enter the season with more attrition that usual. Gone are three seniors from last year's roster, two starters in Szymon Zapala and Jaden Akins and bench wing Frankie Fidler.
The Spartans also lost an unprecedented three players to the transfer portal, Gehrig Normand, who fell out of the rotation entirely, and Xavier Booker, who will start at center for UCLA, being among them.
The biggest surprise departure was Tre Holloman, whose move to NC State leaves the Spartans searching for answers at shooting guard. After Michigan State's exhibition loss to UConn, Izzo admitted his concerns, saying, "I'm concerned at the two."
On top of replacing Holloman, Michigan State also lost freshman sensation Jase Richardson to the NBA, a year (at least) ahead of schedule.
Add it all up, and Michigan State enters the season with more questions than usual.
As always, the Spartans project to be an elite defensive and rebounding team. Their transition attack, led by Jeremy Fears Jr. and Coen Carr's lob connection, remains intact. But the half-court offense may take some time to come together.
In their most recent exhibition, a full-strength loss to UConn (which was missing two starters), the offensive concerns were evident. Michigan State attempted just 14 3s, making only four. The lone bright spot was its ability to get to the free-throw line, though it shot just 66% on 44 attempts once it got there.
In total, the Spartans attempted 44 free throws to 46 field goal. Fears accounted for 13 of those trips to the line. Outside of his dribble penetration and contact-seeking, there wasn't much to like.
To make matters worse, the two replacements at shooting guard (Kur Teng and Trey Fort) combined to shoot just 1-for-7 from 3 and played only 30 minutes between them.
As always, Michigan State should maintain a high floor thanks to Izzo's leadership and the program's defensive identity. But the offense has lost a good deal of star power from last season, when the Spartans finished 25th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency.
This year's group may look more like the previous four teams, which averaged a 51st-place national ranking in that metric.
Colgate vs. Michigan State Betting Analysis
This could be an ugly game on opening night. Colgate's veterans haven't proven they can reach the level of previous Langel teams, but they've shown they can rise to the occasion and compete with elite programs.
Michigan State will eventually find its stride, but it may take time for the offense to click.
Slow starts have been a recurring issue for the Spartans, who are just 1-6 against the spread in season openers over the last seven years. Expect that trend to continue, and back the underdog to avoid a blowout.
My Pick: Colgate +20.5 (Play to +16)
