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Michigan State vs Binghamton preview, predictions, betting odds and more

By Connor Muldowney

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Saturday’s Michigan State vs Binghamton game is a chance for the Spartans to jump to No. 1 in the country.

All Michigan State basketball needs to do is take care of business at the Breslin Center Saturday and it will be the No. 1 team in all of college basketball. Sure, Tom Izzo doesn’t care much about that, but the Spartans are looking much more impressive than the team that went to the Final Four just last season.

Must Read: Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for December

With Binghamton coming to town, will Michigan State falter under the pressure of being the new king of college basketball or will it prove its dominance over an opponent for the ninth time this season?

Details for Saturday’s Michigan State vs Binghamton game are below: 

Date: Saturday, Dec. 5
Start Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, MI
Stadium: Breslin Center
TV Info: ESPNU
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: For Michigan State radio affiliates, click here.

Three Players to Watch

Dec 2, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Damion Lee (0) is defended by Michigan State Spartans forward Deyonta Davis (23) during the second half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. MSU won 71-67. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

  1. Tum Tum Nairn needs to be working on his offense, and this could be the perfect game to do so against a team that is not necessarily known for its strong defensive play. Nairn has been working on his shot all offseason, but seems timid when given the open jumper. It’s time to see him let it fly on a consistent basis, getting some confidence in his offense.
  2. Deyonta Davis has been a monster through the first month of play and the true freshman is looking like a future stud in this program. Can he keep it up, though? Chances are he will have a big game against the Bearcats who average just 34 rebounds and 65 points per game.
  3. I know this might not be a common choice, but Marvin Clark Jr. is still working his way back into the rotation after missing some time at the beginning of the season and in the offseason due to a foot injury. If Clark can get back to form and improve on his play from last year with a larger role, the Spartans will have a nice inside-out big man.

Three Storylines to Follow

Dec 2, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Kenny Goins (25) and Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and Michigan State Spartans guard Eron Harris (14) fight for position during the 1st half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

  1. How will Kenny Goins follow up a career game? Yes, the Kenny Goins. You know, the guy who went to the 2013 Rose Bowl as a fan. The redshirt freshman walk-on who looked to be nothing more than a garbage time player. The Kenny Goins grabbed 13 rebounds and scored five points against Louisville on Wednesday. How could he possibly follow that up?
  2. Pressure of No. 1? Not often does Michigan State basketball have an opportunity to be the No. 1 team in the country this early in the year. It’s not a knock against Tom Izzo or the program, but frankly stated, the Spartans play much better as a waiting-in-the-wings type of team. A team who is ranked in the teens all year long only to make a surge in March and become a top-five squad. Is this year different?
  3. Turnovers. Against Louisville, the turnover numbers were absolutely horrendous. Can Michigan State clean up its play and prove that it’s not a turnover-prone team?

More from Spartans Basketball

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Michigan State -30.5

Predictions

Michigan State will play a little bit sloppy early on, but Izzo will whip his team back into shape as the Spartans run away with this one and cover the outlandish spread. Denzel Valentine will approach triple-double territory once again with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists, but Deyonta Davis will steal the show with a double-double and four blocks.

Final Score: Binghampton 52, Michigan State 86

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