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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Nebraska in Week 4

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 30: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans dunks the ball during the game against 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: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans dunks the ball during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Breslin Center on November 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 26: Andrew Platek #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans go after a loose ball in the second half of the game during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 26, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. Michigan State won the game 63-45. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 26: Andrew Platek #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans go after a loose ball in the second half of the game during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 26, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. Michigan State won the game 63-45. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

1. Defense holds fifth straight opponent under 65 points

Defense has been the name of the game lately. Michigan State has held four straight opponents under 65 points, starting with DePaul in the opener of the PK80. Michigan State has gone through some growing pains, including against Stony Brook two weeks ago, and it’s led to a dominant stretch of defensive play.

Must Read: Despite blowout of Notre Dame, Spartans have room to grow

Against DePaul, the Spartans were smothering. The same happened against Connecticut as the Huskies weren’t able to put any runs together. North Carolina may have been the best game the Spartans have played defensively all year and that carried into a strong showing against Notre Dame, for the most part.

Nebraska doesn’t have nearly the same firepower as North Carolina or Notre Dame. Heck, the Cornhuskers may not even be on the same level as Connecticut, but they won’t be quick to roll over and let the Spartans smother them for 40 minutes.

Next: MSU Basketball: 5 takeaways from win over Notre Dame

However, Nebraska will find it tough to get open shots and the Cornhuskers’ shooting percentage will be around 40 percent, maybe even lower, resulting in just 62 points. Free throws are what will keep Nebraska’s score over 60. The Spartans always seem to be in foul trouble, and that won’t change on Sunday.

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