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

By Connor Muldowney

PISCATAWAY, NJ - MARCH 2: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans cheers on his team against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of a college basketball game at the Rutgers Athletic Center on March 2, 2016 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 97-66. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - MARCH 2: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans cheers on his team against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of a college basketball game at the Rutgers Athletic Center on March 2, 2016 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 97-66. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 30: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Elijah Burns #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Breslin Center on November 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 30: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Elijah Burns #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Breslin Center on November 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

After a surprisingly close game with Oakland, the Spartans will draw a struggling Houston Baptist team which is just 2-5 on the season heading into December. The Huskies haven’t been able to put a run together this year, allowing an astonishing 89 points per game, but scoring 84 of their own. Michigan State is easily the best offense the Huskies have played and they gave up 116 points to Detroit.

Expect the Spartans to score at will in this one. The Huskies have just two guys who stand taller than 6-foot-7 and that’s a recipe for disaster against this deep Spartan post team. Nick Ward will score 20 and grab 10 rebounds, Jaren Jackson Jr. will finish with five blocks and Miles Bridges will go off for 30 points.

Final Score: Houston Baptist 60, Michigan State 103 — (11-1)

Long Beach State is the next mid-major to head to East Lansing in non-conference play and the 49ers are just 3-5 on the year heading into the month of December with a win over Oregon State. Sure, the Beavers have been struggling on the hardwood for years, but to beat a power conference foe, the 49ers have to have at least a little life on the roster.

They also played a close game with Nebraska, lost at Oregon State in the first of two meetings by eight and they’ve played West Virginia, Missouri and Arizona. This team is tested, but Michigan State is the best team it’s played to date. Against Arizona, Missouri and West Virginia, the 49ers struggled to hit 60 points, and I expect the same against a tough Michigan State defense.

Final Score: Long Beach State 53, Michigan State 88 — (12-1)

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