Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for January 2018

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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 18: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts on the bench while playing the Houston Baptist Huskies at the Jack T. Breslin Student Events Center on December 18, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 107-62. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

1. Michigan State will go 9-0

Michigan State is the clear favorite to run away with the Big Ten this season and the only real competition, at least it seems, to this point is Purdue. The Spartans won’t see the Boilermakers in this first month of conference action so that should give them an easier run toward an undefeated January.

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No, I don’t think Michigan State is immune to upsets, and the Oakland game is a prime example of that, but I do think the Spartans will be more motivated to take on stiffer competition and play with an even bigger fire as quality teams cloud the schedule.

The month starts with Maryland at home which is a tough game, but that home-court advantage will be enough to give Michigan State a win. Next is at Ohio State which might also be the toughest game of the month, but Michigan State is too deep for the Buckeyes and will wear them down late. Rutgers, Michigan and Indiana are all at home in the next three games and I don’t see the Spartans faltering there.

Following that is a road game against Illinois and Michigan State hasn’t forgotten what happened in Champaign last year. The Spartans will win there. The Spartans will close the month with a home game against a struggling Wisconsin team, at Maryland and at home against Penn State. That will sweep the board.

Next: MSU Football: 5 most memorable moments of 2017

Michigan State will go 9-0 and head into February with a 23-1 overall record.

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