Michigan State Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for 2017-18

Feb. 3 (Indiana) through Feb. 25 (Wisconsin)

Feb. 3 at Indiana: MSU won the first meeting, but things will be different at Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers will be in talks for a spot on the tournament bubble and a win here would be huge. Like last year’s game, the Hoosiers will run a ton, which will take away the effectiveness of Nick Ward. Juwan Morgan will limit Miles Bridges and that will be enough to beat the Spartans, who lack a great backcourt. Loss (22-3, 10-2)

Feb. 6 at Iowa: This will be another difficult matchup, but Michigan State has had Iowa’s number in recent seasons, at least since Russell Byrd hit that big corner three a few years ago. The Hawkeyes could surprise in the conference, but MSU’s size will be too much here. With Tyler Cook and Dom Uhl getting more time,  Ward and Jaren Jackson will own the paint and lead a bounce-back win on the road. Win (23-3, 11-2)

Feb. 10 vs. Purdue: The Boilermakers had the perfect roster against Michigan State last season, but that’s no longer the case with Caleb Swanigan gone. Isaac Haas can only do so much and Bridges will single-handedly end Dakota Mathias’s chances of winning the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year award. Win (24-3, 12-2)

Feb. 13 at Minnesota: It’s a back-heavy schedule and this is the first of three road games in the next 13 days. The Gophers are supposed to be one of MSU’s biggest competitors in the conference, and for good reason. Similar to the Spartans, Minnesota returns most of its squad from a year ago with Nate Mason and Amir Coffey the top players. The loss of Eric Curry could shine brightest in this matchup as he would be the guy to deal with Jaren Jackson. The Gophers have size, but the offensive skill set of Ward will be too much for Reggie Lynch and Bakary Konate. Win (25-3, 13-2)

Feb. 17 at Northwestern: The Wildcats are one of the few teams that can ideally matchup with Michigan State at almost every spot. Their frontcourt maybe isn’t at the same level as MSU’s, but Derek Pardon, Gavin Skelly and Rapolas Ivanauskas are big bodies that can give valuable minutes. Vic Law will be a good test for Bridges, will Scottie Lindsey and Bryant McIntosh form a senior backcourt that could be the best in the conference. The Wildcats grab a win and jump to second in the Big Ten standings. Loss (25-4, 13-3)

Feb. 20 vs. Illinois: In one of the last easy games of the season, the Spartans send off Breslin with a dominant performance against an Illini team that needs more time with Brad Underwoodill. Bridges adds a couple dunks to his highlight reel and kisses the court goodbye. Win (26-4, 14-3)

Feb. 25 at Wisconsin: In a great spot to end the regular season on a high, the Spartans do just that and handle a Wisconsin team that finishes outside of the top four in the Big Ten. Jackson already dealt with Ethan Happ once and he controls the game in MSU’s favor with Ward doing what he wants on the offensive end. Win (27-4, 15-3)