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Michigan State Basketball: Staff score predictions vs. Southern Utah

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 3: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Breslin Center on December 3, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 3: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Breslin Center on December 3, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball will host Southern Utah on Saturday evening and here are the score predictions from the Spartan Avenue staff.

Nick Ward’s frustrations boiled over on Tuesday night in a win over Rutgers, 62-52. The sophomore big man played just one minute in the second half but Michigan State found a way to pull away and hold on for its second Big Ten win of the young season.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for December

The Spartans, namely Tom Izzo, will need to get Ward more involved throughout the next month of non-conference matchups before Big Ten play heats up again. Will the conflict be resolved against the Thunderbirds from the Big Sky on Saturday night?

Who wins the non-conference matchup Saturday between Michigan State and Southern Utah? Here’s what the Spartan Avenue staff thinks.

Connor Muldowney: Michigan State is going to defend the 3-point line better in the second half, but that’ll be after the Thunderbirds make five shots from long range in the first half. Miles Bridges will have another 20-point game and Nick Ward will shake off Tuesday night’s frustrations, finishing with over 20 minutes and he will finish with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Oh yeah, and Jaren Jackson Jr. will also finish with a double-double and four blocks.

Final Score: Southern Utah 57, Michigan State 87

Michael Briggs: After consecutive blowout victories over North Carolina, Notre Dame and Nebraska, one would figure games against Rutgers and Southern Utah would provide little drama for Michigan State. Not so fast, my friend.

The Spartans return to East Lansing following an uninspiring win over the Scarlet Knights in New Jersey that raised new questions about this squad. Tom Izzo openly called out Cassius Winston and Nick Ward for not responding to his halftime speech during the Rutgers game, resulting in Ward sitting out essentially the entire second half. While MSU played pretty well on the defensive side of the ball, Ward and Winston certainly weren’t the only players who disappointed against RU.

Southern Utah wouldn’t typically inspire a motivating performance from the Spartans, but fans and coaches alike will be watching closely to see how MSU responds to the lackluster performance in Piscataway.

I expect the Spartans to respond in a big way, firing on all cylinders against an inferior Thunderbirds squad. Sorry Southern Utah, you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Final Score: Southern Utah 48, Michigan State 83

Stephen Robb: This isn’t a championship team yet. The Spartans are young and did not play championship ball against Rutgers. This is an issue that will be resolved by tournament time. Michigan State has showed promise but inferior opponents can take advantage of the Spartans’ lack of interest.

Final Score: Southern Utah 55, Michigan State 85

Adam Zdroik: Southern Utah ranks 318 in KenPom, although has a winning record. They already got beat up by UNLV and former MSU recruit Brandon McCoy. This is a team that ranks with some of the worst in terms of defensive efficiency and doesn’t do many things well offensively. Look for Nick Ward to show up after what happened last game.

Final Score: Southern Utah 58, Michigan State 90

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