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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Duke in Week 2

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 18: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans during game action against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils at the Breslin Center on November 18, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 18: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans during game action against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils at the Breslin Center on November 18, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NC – NOVEMBER 29: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans dunks over Amile Jefferson #21 and Frank Jackson #15 of the Duke Blue Devils during the game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 29, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 78-69. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – NOVEMBER 29: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans dunks over Amile Jefferson #21 and Frank Jackson #15 of the Duke Blue Devils during the game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 29, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 78-69. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

1. Michigan State finally beats Duke in national title preview

This one’s a two-part prediction. First, Michigan State will finally exact revenge on Duke, giving Tom Izzo his second-ever victory over the Blue Devils, making him 2-10. Second, this will be a preview of the 2018 National Championship Game.

Must Read: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for November

Remember when these two teams met last year? Kenny Goins was the team’ starting center and Tum Tum Nairn and Matt McQuaid were in the starting lineup. While the Spartans weren’t exactly pushovers, that team was nowhere near the level of this one. McQuaid is a solid bench option and Nairn is the backup point guard.

Nick Ward, Cassius Winston and Josh Langford each came off the bench and it was because they were too inexperienced, Izzo didn’t feel comfortable starting them.

They are each starters along with Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr. The team is about as long, and deep, as any in the Izzo era and they will finally meet up with Duke as both are on the same talent level. The Spartans will finally be able to beat the Blue Devils for the first time since 2005, granting Izzo his wish.

Next: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for November

The second part of this bold prediction is that these two teams will meet up for the national title game in April. They are the two most talented squads in college basketball and it’d be a shame for either to be left out of the title game. We will see them meet up again in April.

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