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

By Connor Muldowney

PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans drives for the net as Mike Williams #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends on December 5, 2017 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans drives for the net as Mike Williams #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends on December 5, 2017 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 09: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans looses control of the ball while going up against Mike Watkins #24 and Payton Banks #0 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Verizon Center on March 9, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 09: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans looses control of the ball while going up against Mike Watkins #24 and Payton Banks #0 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Verizon Center on March 9, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

A rematch from the first Big Ten game of the 2018 calendar year. Michigan State will go into College Station looking for its 10th Big Ten win of the season, but Maryland is going to bring the Spartans down to the wire.

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It’s always tough to beat a team twice in one season handily, and the Terrapins will prove that point with a close game. Maryland’s going to make its outside shots and make the Spartans sweat out a road win. It’s never easy to win in College Park but the Spartans will find a way to hang on to a close win and prepare for tougher games that lie ahead.

Final Score: Michigan State 72, Maryland 70 (22-1, 10-0 Big Ten)

Penn State gave Michigan State trouble last season. The Spartans had a difficult time, at least in the first matchup at the Palestra, beating the Nittany Lions due to their increased athleticism and overall talent level from previous seasons which took MSU by surprise.

Payton Banks is finally gone, but Shep Garner is back for what seems like his 10th year of eligibility for the Nittany Lions. Tony Carr has also been a solid threat along with Mike Watkins and Lamar Stevens. This team is talented, but the Spartans shouldn’t have much of a problem putting them away at home.

Next: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for January

Nick Ward will counter Watkins in the post and Josh Langford and Miles Bridges will rival Carr for the game’s top scorer. The two Spartans will combine for 35 while Ward drops in 15 points and 10 boards.

Final Score: Penn State 63, Michigan State 78 (23-1, 11-0 Big Ten)

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