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Michigan State Basketball: Staff score predictions vs. DePaul in PK80

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 26: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half at the Breslin Center on February 26, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 26: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half at the Breslin Center on February 26, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball has a matchup with DePaul to open the Phil Knight Invitational in Oregon and the Spartans are heavily favored.

Entering every game as a favorite isn’t easy and Michigan State has found that out early this season. In two regular season games against inferior opponents, the Spartans have fallen behind in the first few minutes as the opponents have thrown the first punches.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for November

Sure, the Spartans always bounce back, but if they didn’t let teams like North Florida and Stony Brook hang around for the first few minutes, the final scores would look much more lopsided. Still, Michigan State is 2-1 with a loss to No. 1 Duke in arguably the most intriguing game of the year so far.

They will travel to Portland for the Phil Knight Invitational, or PK80, starting on Thursday night at 11:30 p.m. ET with an opportunity to play teams like Oklahoma, Oregon or North Carolina this weekend.

The Spartan Avenue staff weighs in on the matchup Thursday night.

Connor Muldowney: I’m going to guess that Miles Bridges misses this game as a precautionary measure and returns for the second game of the PK80. Without him, the Spartans will have to feed Nick Ward and Jaren Jackson Jr. more in the post and keep an eye on Xavier Tillman who stepped up against Stony Brook. Ward has another nice game, Jackson Jr. bounces back and the Spartans get hot from 3-point range (finally).

Final Score: DePaul 59, Michigan State 80

Adam Zdroik: I don’t want to know what Michigan State basketball looks like without Miles Bridges, especially if Matt McQuaid has to start. McQuaid could have to defend Eli Cain, which probably won’t go in his favor. This will be too close for comfort for Spartans fans and give Bridges plenty of reason to gut out the final two days. In the end, Nick Ward is too much to handle for DePaul.

Final Score: DePaul 61, Michigan State 70

Michael Briggs: DePaul is coming off of consecutive nine-win seasons and, while the Demon Deacons have already dropped contests to Notre Dame and Illinois this season, could be a headache for Michigan State. DePaul boasts a handful of solid wing players, while the Spartans are lacking perimeter depth with Kyle Ahrens out and Miles Bridges banged up.

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

With upcoming PK80 games against either Oregon, UConn, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Arkansas, Michigan State may choose to give Bridges the day off if he’s not at least 75 percent healthy. Bridges’ questionable status is a little concerning, but even without him, the Spartans have a clear talent advantage. Big games from Nick Ward and Jaren Jackson will lead MSU to victory.

Final Score: DePaul 62, Michigan State 76

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