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

NCAA Tournament predictions

March 16 vs. St. Francis PA (in Detroit): With only four losses, Michigan State gets the No. 1 overall seed and is awarded a first- and second-round game in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena. The Spartans draw St. Francis PA, which won in Dayton earlier in the week. MSU cruises behind double-doubles from Miles Bridges, Nick Ward and Cassius Winston. Win (31-4)

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March 18 vs. Connecticut (in Detroit): The committee will throw the Huskies in as an eight-seed in this region and hope for this matchup. Instead of UConn getting the home game (like in 2014), it’s Michigan State’s time for revenge. Jalen Adams and Alterique Gilbert form a troublesome backcourt that could have MSU down early, but Ward will be too much down low against a team that struggles in the paint. Win (32-4)

March 23 vs. St. John’s (in Omaha): Marvin Clark saw this possible matchup on his bracket and willed the Red Storm to the Sweet 16. St. John’s won in Dayton as a 12-seed and make an impressive run led by transfers Clark and Justin Simons, although Shamorie Ponds and Marcus LoVett are the ones that get them into the tourney. While Ponds and LoVett combined for 32 points against MSU last year, the two can’t do enough, mainly because Bridges drops 37 points with Clark guarding him. Win (33-4)

March 25 vs. TCU (in Omaha): The haters come out of the woodwork and label Michigan State’s schedule as the “easiest run of the tournament” with TCU up next. The Horned Frogs came in as the No. 3 seed, finishing second in the Big 12 with a veteran-laden squad. But the backcourt of Jaylen Fisher and Alex Robinson can’t keep Winston or Josh Langford in check, while Ward feasts on Vladimir Broziansky and gets the Slovakian into early foul trouble. Win (34-4)

March 31 vs. Arizona (in San Antonio): The Wildcats come in as the final No. 1 seed only because of a weak strength of schedule. In a rematch of last year’s opener, Michigan State is the first team to take advantage of Arizona without Rawle Alkins because of his full-season suspension. With Alkins the ideal matchup against Bridges, Arizona turns to a mix of Allonzo Trier, Brandon Randolph and even Chase Jeter, but nothing works. On the other end, Jaren Jackson shows off his length and gives problems to Deandre Ayton, while Ward dominates a bigger Dusan Ristic. Win (35-4)

April 2 vs. Villanova (in San Antonio): The Wildcats make an improbable run to the championship, taking down both Duke and Kentucky as a two-seed thanks to last-second buckets by Donte DiVincenzo. They have the best one-two punch in the tournament behind Jalen Brunson and standout freshman Omari Spellman. The talk of a Villanova basketball dynasty is real until the Spartans take the floor led by the most inspiring speech that Tum Tum Nairn has ever given.

Mikal Bridges is tasked with stopping Miles Bridges, but after draining five threes in the first eight minutes and screaming “I am the No. 1 pick!”, it’s no use. Langford plays his best game of the season and limits Brunson to seven points, while Jackson is too lengthy for Spellman.

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But because Villanova is Villanova, it will stick around until the end. As the clock ticks down with Michigan State down by one, Izzo turns to secret weapon Matt McQuaid, who mistakenly gets left open and drains the winner. Win (36-4)