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Michigan State Basketball: Preview and prediction vs. DePaul in PK80

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 19: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans draws a blocking foul from Tyrell Sturdivant of the Stony Brook Seawolves at Breslin Center on November 19, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 19: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans draws a blocking foul from Tyrell Sturdivant of the Stony Brook Seawolves at Breslin Center on November 19, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball opens the Phil Knight Invitational bracket with a matchup against DePaul. Here’s what you need to know.

The holidays seem to yield the best actions, sports-wise. This is the time of year when early-season tournaments in college basketball take place and college football winds down with Rivalry Week and bowl season. Michigan State fans are lucky enough to experience all of it this season.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for November

The basketball team is hitting the road, traveling to Portland for the Phil Knight Invitational, or PK80, on Thursday night against DePaul. The Spartans are fresh off a 22-point win over Stony Brook in East Lansing and DePaul has lost two of its first three games against Illinois and Notre Dame.

Unfortunately for Michigan State, Miles Bridges might miss the first game of the tournament due to a sprained ankle, but nothing is certain yet. Tom Izzo said he doesn’t want to rush him back if it’s not necessary, but it’s also not a high-ankle sprain.

That means other Spartans will need to step up against the 1-2 Blue Demons on Thanksgiving night, but who? Matt McQuaid is a good option as he’s been quiet all year. There’s plenty to watch for in this contest.

Here’s how you can watch Thursday night’s Michigan State vs. DePaul game online:

Date: Thursday, Nov. 23
Time: 11:30 p.m. ET
Location: Portland, Ore.
Venue: Moda Center
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to victory

Michigan State needs to feed the post. If Bridges is out, which it’s looking likely, Nick Ward and Jaren Jackson Jr. are going to need to have big games. They will be the go-to guys on offense and who Cassius Winston, Josh Langford and Matt McQuaid will look to in the post — maybe even drawing some kick-outs for open threes.

Defensively, staying out of foul trouble and defending the pick-and-roll better are crucial. Jackson Jr. fouled out on Sunday night in his worst collegiate performance yet and Ward had trouble defending as he always seemed to lose track of his guy on pick-and-rolls. It’s time to correct the silly mistakes before facing teams like Oregon or North Carolina.

DePaul players to watch for

The Blue Demons are fresh off a loss to Illinois on the road, 82-73, and played Notre Dame tough to start the season, so they aren’t exactly going to be a cakewalk opponent. Here’s who you should be watching for.

  • Max Strus — 13.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 32% from 3-point range
  • Tre’Darius McCallum — 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 50% from 3-point range
  • Eli Cain — 11.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists

On another note, this is one of the worst shooting teams Michigan State will face. They make just 28 percent of their 3-pointers and 38 percent from the floor.

Next: MSU Basketball: Report card for win over Stony Brook

Prediction

If I were a betting man, I’d say Miles Bridges is going to sit out for this one and return for the Spartans’ second game in the tournament. Tom Izzo doesn’t want to risk further injury and he will keep him out or play him if only it’s absolutely necessary. Either way, the Spartans should roll the Blue Demons on Thanksgiving night. Michigan State will finally catch fire from 3-point range thanks to Cassius Winston, Josh Langford and even Matt McQuaid and this one ends in a lopsided victory.

Final Score: DePaul 59, Michigan State 80

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