Michigan State Basketball: Staff score predictions vs. Penn State

Michigan State basketball faces a must-win versus Penn State Thursday and here’s what the Spartan Avenue staff is predicting.

One game stands between Michigan State basketball and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Penn State is blocking the Spartans’ path right now, but come 2:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, we will find out if they really deserve a spot in the field of 68 or if they’ll be sweating it out on Selection Sunday.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Big Ten Tournament

For the first time since the 2010-11 season, Michigan State is worried about getting into the NCAA Tournament and that would all change with an emphatic win over Penn State on Thursday. Can the Spartans finally end the speculation and punch their ticket?

Take a look at what the Spartan Avenue staff is predicting.

Connor Muldowney: Michigan State needs this game more than anyone really wants to admit. While the Spartans are on the right side of the bubble right now, a loss would place them directly on it, hoping it doesn’t burst. The Spartans need to play their best game in weeks in they want to take down the young, hungry Nittany Lions and I think you’ll see Cassius Winston and Miles Bridges step up to the plate and deliver. Josh Langford finally gets his groove back again and the Spartans win a tough one.

Final: Penn State 66, Michigan State 69

Adam Zdroik: When these teams played the first time, it was at the Palestra and it was Miles Bridges’ first start in his return from injury. To sum it up, he scored just four points, his lowest output of the season. Safe to say, that’s not going to happen again. While Mike Watkins could be an issue, it won’t be enough. The Nittany Lions will have played an overtime game less than 24 hours earlier and that should allow Bridges to force his will late in the game.

Final: Penn State 66, Michigan State 74

Ryan McCumber: Michigan State takes on a Penn State team it lost to earlier in the year at the Palestra. Penn State has been reeling a bit lately, as have the Spartans, although their losses were close games on the road. Penn State has a young team as well. However, the Nittany Lions struggled with a bad Nebraska team last night and almost blew a lead they had the entire game by going to overtime. I expect Miles Bridges to have a huge game and Nick Ward to have another dominant game inside. If MSU can neutralize Tony Carr, it should win this game.

Final: Penn State 57, Michigan State 69

Joe Clifford: Michigan State needs to win a game or two at the Big Ten Tournament to feel good about its NCAA Tournament chances. Looking to avenge an early season loss against Penn State, Michigan State will win by 10 behind strong performances by Miles Bridges and Josh Langford.

Final: Penn State 67, Michigan State 77

Michael Briggs: Michigan State needs to get back to form if it hopes to make any kind of run in the NCAA Tournament. It also needs to beat Penn State to secure its position in the tourney field. Upperclassmen Alvin Ellis III and Tum Tum Nairn Jr. will ensure MSU lives to play another game, with freshman Nick Ward adding a dominant double-double on the heels of his Big Ten freshman team snub.

Final: Penn State 56, Michigan State 68

Stephen Robb: Penn State is a gritty, hard nosed team. Michigan State must be prepared and hustle to out work the Nittany Lions. There is no question about the Spartans talent but they must play the Tom Izzo way. Michigan State does just enough to win.

Final: Penn State 65, Michigan State 69

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