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March Madness 2024: Tips to help you fill out your NCAA tournament bracket

March Madness is finally here and Mackenzie Salmon has tips to help you fill out your NCAA tournament bracket.

No. 9 seed Michigan State and No. 8 seed Mississippi State play Thursday, March 21 in an NCAA Tournament first-round game in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The West region game is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. PT and can be seen on CBS (stream with this free trial from FUBO).

Who will win the March Madness game and advance to the second round?

Check out these NCAA Tournament first-round picks and predictions for the men's college basketball matchup.

Michigan State is a 1.5-point favorite in the game in March Madness odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook.

The Spartans are -125 on the moneyline. The Bulldogs are +105.

The over/under for the game is set at 129.5 points.

IT'S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY's basketball tournament bracket contests for a chance at $1 million prize

Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State 72, Michigan State 70

Stefan Krajisnik writes: "The Bulldogs have a defense that most teams don't want to face in the NCAA tournament. Michigan State has a strong offense, ranking in the top 60 nationally in terms of adjusted efficiency, according to KenPom. However, Mississippi State should be able to slow that unit down."

March Madness TV schedule: Television channels, streaming, how to watch NCAA Tournament

Detroit Free Press: Michigan State 69, Mississippi State 65

Chris Solari writes: "In the battle of MSU's, it is the Spartans' veterans who harness lessons learned all winter and make the clutch plays down the stretch to advance to a showdown with 1-seed North Carolina."

Sporting News: Michigan State 65, Mississippi State 63

David Fletcher writes: "The Spartans are slight favorites, and we find it hard to bet against them given how much the Bulldogs struggle from the charity line. It’s essential in a game like this where it’s hard to identify an edge between the two on paper."

March Madness game odds: Point spreads, moneylines, over/unders for NCAA Tournament 2024

DraftKings: Bet Michigan State to beat Mississippi State

Teddy Ricketson writes: "This game should be a good duel between two talented guards. Both Mississippi State’s Josh Hubbard and Michigan State’s Tyson Walker are used to having to do a little bit of everything to help their team win. For the Bulldogs, though, they have forward Tolu Smith to help Hubbard, but overall lack the depth that the Spartans have. Malik Hall, A.J. Hoggard and Jaden Akins are all solid players that can step up if Walker gets shut down. Plus, Michigan State’s overall defensive metrics are better, meaning Mississippi State would have to play above-average offense to pull off a win."

ESPN: Michigan State has a 59% chance to beat Mississippi State

The site gives the Bulldogs a 41% shot at defeating the Spartans in Thursday's first-round March Madness NCAA Tournament game.

March Madness NCAA Tournament odds: Who is favored to win 2024 national championship?

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STREAM THE GAME: Watch Michigan State vs. Mississippi State live with FUBO (free trial)

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