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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Maryland in Week 9

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Zach Sellers #3 of the Savannah State Tigers at Breslin Center on December 31, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Zach Sellers #3 of the Savannah State Tigers at Breslin Center on December 31, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball has a big game against Maryland approaching Thursday night and here’s what could happen.

Finally, Michigan State can forget about facing clearly inferior opponents and focus on Big Ten play where the Spartans are considered heavy favorites to run away with the league title. It’s not going to be that easy, though, as they will face a tough Maryland team on Thursday night.

East Lansing won’t quite be rocking as students still haven’t reported back to campus, at least not officially back to class, but that doesn’t mean the Breslin Center crowd won’t be rowdy. It’s Izzone Alumni night and that means it’ll be a raucous atmosphere for the visiting Terrapins.

There’s plenty to look forward to with Thursday night’s matchup, but the Terrapins won’t quite be the same without Ivan Bender and Justin Jackson — both lost to season-ending injuries. Also, it’s going to be weird to see this team without Melo Trimble manning the point.

It’s time to get a little bold, so let’s look at some predictions for Thursday night’s game.

5. Spartans shut down 3-point line

Although 3-point defense isn’t always reflected on the percentage or amount of threes made against a given team, Tom Izzo still isn’t pleased with the way his team gets out to defend the arc. He noted that as one of the key areas he’d like to see improve.

Maryland doesn’t shoot a ton of 3-pointers, but the Terrapins do make about 39 percent as a team which makes them threats to give the Spartans trouble on Thursday night.

However, like Michigan State did against Notre Dame, the Spartans will get out and defend the 3-point line adequately and make the Terrapins work for every basket. They shoot about 20 long-distance shots per game and might do so against the Spartans, but they will make less than 30 percent.

It’s time for the Spartans to begin their run at a Big Ten title and that means fixing areas in their gamer which they haven’t been the greatest at. Maryland will finish 5-for-21 from deep.

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