Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Rutgers in Week 5

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) /

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PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 26: Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts to an officials call in the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 26, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

1. It will be a close game — at half — before the Spartans pull away

Rutgers is going to play Michigan State tough, for a half. The Scarlet Knights and Spartans will be within five points of each other at the break, 35-33, but the second half will be all Michigan State.

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For some reason, Corey Sanders always seems to give the Spartans trouble and even though he’s having a poor shooting season, he will go off in the first half for 12 points. Michigan State will come out in the second half and shut the junior guard down and hold the Scarlet Knights in check for most of the second half.

The road atmosphere will get to the young Spartans early on, but they will rebound in the second half to put up 50 points in the final 20 minutes of play. The play from Cassius Winston and Miles Bridges will lead the way as the Spartans will completely take over the game.

The Scarlet Knights will make a slight run in the second half to make it somewhat interesting, but the Spartans will put the foot on the gas to pull away and win by 22. It’ll be a tale of two halves again.

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