How I’m Betting Michigan State vs Nebraska Tonight

5 days ago 2

We’re in the waning hours of the first Friday in 2026. It is Friday, right?

The days have started bleeding together — two weeks of holiday festivities, half-days of work, Michigan State football transfer portal chaos — it all blends into one long wave that I’m just riding until “normal life” takes back over and forces that once-mundane routine back into place, reminding you just how necessary it actually is.

But if my phone can keep track of the day for me, then this is officially the biggest Friday of the year so far.

Because tonight, we’re about to watch two teams — combining for 25 wins and just one loss — go head-to-head inside a packed Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Before tip-off, I figured we should all take a look at how to make a little money. If you’re like me, we’re down to the last wooden nickel after spending triple what we said we would on our families. But a nickel might be all we need to start climbing out of Christmas shopping hell together.

Here are three bets I like for tonight. I recommend playing all three straight, then parlaying them together for a nice bonus.

1st Leg

Jaxon Kohler – 10+ Rebounds (-180) $10 to win $15.56

Michigan State is built to dominate the glass. The Spartans rank 11th in the nation, averaging 39.7 rebounds per game, and that rebounding task force is led by Jaxon Kohler, who ranks 12th nationally with a 10.3 RPG average.

On the other side, Nebraska ranks tied for 60th at 36.3 rebounds per game, led by Rienk Mast’s 6.8 RPG.

This game will be won in the trenches. Nebraska is calling it the biggest game in program history, which means they’re going to come out firing. The best way for MSU to counter that is by playing bigger and stronger inside — and that starts with Kohler and Carson Cooper asserting themselves early.

Izzo will have them understanding their role, and when the moment is big, he tends to bring out the best in his big men.

Kohler has hit this line four straight games (4/4).

2nd Leg

Jaxon Kohler – 12+ Points (-155) $10 to win $16.45

Just like on the glass, Kohler needs to be bigger and better offensively than anyone else on the floor.

He can stretch the defense, knock down threes, and put his shoulder into defenders on the block. With Michigan State’s perimeter shooting going cold at times this season, this feels like a game where Izzo understands exactly where the ball needs to go.

In a top-15 matchup, Izzo will force the ball into the hands of the guys he trusts most — and Kohler is at the top of that list.

Going inside also means drawing fouls, and Kohler shoots 85% from the free throw line, which matters in a tight, physical game.

Both teams average 80+ points per game, and I don’t see this one falling far below that mark. If the Spartans are scoring around 80, you can comfortably pencil Kohler in for at least ten — and I like him to clear twelve.

Kohler has hit this line 3 of the last 5 games.

3rd Leg

Jeremy Fears Jr. – 10+ Assists (+130) $10 to win $23

This is the riskiest leg — and why I strongly suggest playing all three straight.

Fears is second in the nation in assists per game at 9.3, and he’s only cleared 10 assists twice in his last five games. On paper, that makes this uncomfortable.

Which is exactly why I love the value.

Fears tends to go over this number in big games and fall short when Michigan State is expected to cruise. The Spartans are betting underdogs tonight, and Nebraska is going to throw everything they have at slowing down MSU’s top scoring options.

That usually means collapsing inside — and when that happens, Fears becomes the distributor.

He sees the floor as well as anyone in college basketball right now. He’s a field general — honestly the closest thing we have to Tom Brady with a basketball in his hands. As the head goes, the team goes, and Izzo will have Fears mentally locked in for this Big Ten showdown.

If the Spartans are going to win — or even stay in it — the ball is going to be moving.