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Michigan State Basketball: Staff score predictions vs. Houston Baptist

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 will be hosting Houston Baptist on Monday evening and our staff is confident in the Spartans.

Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans are still recouping from a close win over in-state foe Oakland on Saturday, but already host Houston Baptist just two days later. Can the Spartans avoid a major upset in East Lansing on Monday evening?

Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 takeaways from win over Oakland

Houston Baptist (4-7) has one of the worst defenses the Spartans will face all season but Michigan State plays down to opponents often. Still, Michigan State has too much firepower, even for a Houston Baptist offense that averages about 84 points per game.

The Spartan Avenue staff offers up its score predictions for Monday’s game.

Connor Muldowney: Michigan State has a bad habit of playing down to inferior opponents, but that won’t be the case on Monday night as Houston Baptist has yet to face an opponent like the Spartans. They will struggle to make anything against Michigan State early and finish with a sub-35 percent shooting rate for the game. Miles Bridges will score his season-high and the Spartans will break the 90-mark against the Huskies’ lackluster defense.

Final Score: Houston Baptist 58, Michigan State 93

Adam Zdroik: Houston Baptist lost to the Detroit team that lost by 32 points to Michigan. After getting challenged on Saturday, the Spartans will come out with the hope that Conner George can finish the game with 10-plus minutes played.

Final Score: Houston Baptist 57, Michigan State 95

Michael Briggs: Michigan State wasn’t as dominant as some hoped it would be Saturday against Oakland, but, nevertheless, the Spartans emerged with a 13-point victory over an NCAA Tournament-caliber squad. MSU is as battle-tested as a team could be 11 games into the season, but now gets an opportunity to coast with four straight home games against teams it will be heavily favored against. Not that Izzo will allow this group to let its guard down. Michigan State is too talented and its goals are too grand to let inferior opponents off the hook. Sorry, Houston Baptist.

Final Score: Houston Baptist 47, Michigan State 82

Next: MSU Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for December

Stephen Robb: Oakland played MSU tough but coach Tom Izzo will not allow the Spartans to slump. This game is the reason why you have a Hall of Fame type coach.

Final Score: Houston Baptist 54, Michigan State 89

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