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Michigan State Basketball: Staff score predictions vs. Cleveland State

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 21: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Gabe Levin #0 of the Long Beach State 49ers at Breslin Center on December 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 21: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Gabe Levin #0 of the Long Beach State 49ers at Breslin Center on December 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball hosts Cleveland State on Friday night and our staff offers up its final score predictions for the non-conference bout.

Just two games away from ending non-conference action with a 12-1 record and already with two wins in the Big Ten, Michigan State is hoping to take care of Cleveland State on Friday night.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: Preview, prediction vs. Cleveland State

The Spartans have proven they are just too strong for mid-major teams on the schedule this season, blowing out just about everyone not named Oakland. Coming off two straight 40-point wins, Michigan State is looking to do the same to the Vikings in East Lansing.

Our staff weighs in on final score predictions for the game.

Connor Muldowney: Michigan State has regrouped after the holiday break and looks to get back into action with a strong showing against Cleveland State. The Vikings don’t rebound the ball all that well nor do they have a strong offense which means this one could get out of hand early on. Miles Bridges will put up 20-plus again, but Josh Langford finishes as the game’s top scorer and Jaren Jackson Jr. adds a double-double for good measure. Turnovers are cut down as well as the Spartans roll to victory.

Final Score: Cleveland State 58, Michigan State 95

Adam Zdroik: This isn’t the same Cleveland State team Bryn Forbes was on. The Vikings are no better than any of MSU’s recent opponents, but an underlying stat is that they at least shoot decently inside the arc (54.1%). The Vikes are also one of the worst rebounding teams in the nation, which isn’t going to work in this game. Per usual against these weaker teams, Nick Ward and Jaren Jackson Jr. will own the paint, while Miles Bridges does whatever he wants on the offensive end.

Final Score: Cleveland State 60, Michigan State 85

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

Michael Briggs: Michigan State welcomes Cleveland State to the Breslin Center following a week-long break on Friday. Turnovers aside, MSU has been playing closer to its potential lately and there’s no reason to expect the layoff will set them back. I expect the recharged Spartans to dominate, with big performances from Nick Ward and Cassius Winston.

Final Score: Cleveland State 60, Michigan State 96

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