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Michigan State Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for December

By Andrew Erdman

Nov 20, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks to Michigan State Spartans guard Eron Harris (14) during the second half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks to Michigan State Spartans guard Eron Harris (14) during the second half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Gophers forward Jordan Murphy (3) fouls Michigan State Spartans guard Eron Harris (14) in the second half Williams Arena. The Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers 69-61. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Gophers forward Jordan Murphy (3) fouls Michigan State Spartans guard Eron Harris (14) in the second half Williams Arena. The Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers 69-61. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Big ten play begins for the Spartans as they travel to The Barn. Minnesota is always a tough place to play. The raised court makes for an interesting venue. The benches are below the court and the head coach has to sit by himself on the raised court to effectively communicate with the team.

Minnesota is off to a good start this season at 6-1 with its only loss coming against Florida State on the road. Minnesota hasn’t had a tough schedule this season and has only left the state of Minnesota once this season and won’t play another road game until it takes on Purdue in West Lafayette.

So out of the Golden Gophers’ first 14 games, they only play two road games. How is that fair? What is this, Michigan’s football schedule? Challenge yourself a little bit, young Richard Pitino.

In all seriousness, freshman Amir Coffey is the real deal. The Spartans will need to shut him down if they want to start the Big Ten season off in the right direction. Michigan State will come into this game with confidence thanks to a nice five-game winning streak. By this game, Nick Ward will be starting in place of Kenny Goins and will be averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds per game.

Prediction: I think the Spartans will ultimately lose a close game in a tough environment (9-5, 0-1)

Fun Fact: Minnesota lost more games last year than they have in the previous 121 seasons. Not good.

The Northwestern Wildcats have never been to the NCAA Tournament, but this year they will get there. The Wildcats are a solid team and they’ve proven that by beating No. 22 Texas by 19 and losing a close game to a good Notre Dame team by just four.

Northwestern could very well enter this game 12-2 and in the top 25 which would be huge for that program. If that happens, the Wildcats will be playing with so much confidence that it’ll be tough to beat them. Fortunately, for Michigan State this game is in East Lansing, although a game in Evanston is basically a home game for Michigan State anyway.

This game is going to be a battle but I just don’t see how Northwestern will slow down Miles Bridges. I think Michigan State will run away with this game in the second half and show the country that this MSU team is a force to be reckoned with.

Prediction: Win (10-5, 1-1)

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