Michigan State Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for January 2018

Ohio State is under new direction this year as Thad Matta was let go in the offseason. Former Butler coach Chris Holtmann has taken over and he looks to be leading the Buckeyes out of the conference’s gutter, which it’s been in recently, and into title contention.

His first year has been solid thus far as the Buckeyes are 11-4, but they haven’t beaten a single ranked team. They have, however, compiled wins over Wisconsin and Michigan to start Big Ten play. Not too shabby. Michigan State is on an entirely different level than those two, though.

The Buckeyes don’t do anything particularly well and are a mediocre rebounding team. Miles Bridges is going to have a big game here and maybe even grab another 15-20 rebounds like he did against Savannah State. The Buckeyes won’t be able to get anything going inside and the Spartans will avoid the upset bid.

Final Score: Michigan State 77, Ohio State 72 (16-1, 4-0 Big Ten)

The first time Michigan State played Rutgers this season, it was in Piscataway and the Scarlet Knights had come off two straight losses to Florida State and Minnesota. They won four straight games, including one against No. 15 Seton Hall, after the Michigan State loss, but the Scarlet Knights are currently reeling.

To end 2017, Rutgers lost to Stony Brook (which the Spartans beat by 22) and Hartford. It’s not looking good for the Scarlet Knights who don’t have much of an offense. That will be a problem against Michigan State.

For the second time this season, the Spartans will hold the Scarlet Knights under 60 points and Nick Ward will exact revenge for a poor performance against Rutgers earlier in the year and record another double-double. Cassius Winston will also finis with 10-plus assists and 10-plus points.

Final Score: Rutgers 59, Michigan State 79 (17-1, 5-0 Big Ten)