Michigan State Basketball: Staff score predictions vs. Michigan in Week 10
Michigan State basketball will host Michigan in a huge Week 10 battle between two in-state rivals. What does our staff think of the outcome?
Michigan State fans are still trying to recover from Wednesday night’s overtime thriller against Rutgers. Yes, you read that correctly, the Spartans needed overtime to beat the Scarlet Knights who happened to play tougher at the Breslin Center
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Michigan now comes to town in hopes of shocking the Spartans with a massive upset. Beating Michigan State in East Lansing would be quite the surprise to everyone around college basketball, but not Spartan fans who have been worried about this game ever since Sunday’s loss to Ohio State.
Will this game be closer now that the Spartans are in a bit of a slump or will the Wolverines get an angry Michigan State team?
The Spartan Avenue staff has weighed in on the final score of Saturday’s contest.
Connor Muldowney: If you’re a Michigan State fan, are you truly excited for this matchup? The same could be said for Michigan fans. Both teams feel as if they are about to be on the wrong side of a rivalry loss. However, this is going to be a great game and the Spartans’ offense will get back on track, but the Wolverines will keep pace. Nick Ward and Mo Wagner will go at it in the post and Miles Bridges will get back to being his aggressive self on the way to a game-high 25 points. This one will go down to the wire, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats in a raucous Breslin Center.
Final Score: Michigan 76, Michigan State 81
Stephen Robb: Michigan State sleep-walked through the Rutgers game. This could be the game that inspires a talented roster. Michigan State is much better than they showed during the OSU and Rutgers games. The rivalry will inspire the Spartans. Miles Bridges will have his best collegiate game.
Final Score: Michigan 67, Michigan State 76
Michael Briggs: Prior to the last two games, Michigan State fans were dreaming of a blowout win over Michigan to kick off the weekend. Now, most Spartans fans would admit a victory of any margin over the Wolverines would be welcomed. MSU has not looked like the same team that was mowing over opponents game after game, but could a visit from rival UM be just what it needs to return to form?
Considering the constant state of animosity between UM-MSU and the Wolverines’ 29-point waxing of the Spartans last season, one would assume we will see a spirited effort from MSU. Expect Miles Bridges to respond to Izzo’s pleas for him to be “more of a jerk” and put his stamp on this game early and often by attacking the basket. Most fans would agree with Izzo that Bridges needs to start being more selfish if this Spartans team is going to reach its goals. What better time than Michigan week?
Final Score: Michigan 72, Michigan State 81
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Adam Zdroik: If Michigan State plays the same way it did on Wednesday, I’m not sure I want to watch this game. But when it comes down to it, the Spartans have a much better squad. How will Michigan deal with Nick Ward and Jaren Jackson? Moritz Wagner still hasn’t fully recovered from his injury and he can’t do it all. Unless Charles Matthews outplays Miles Bridges and Duncan Robinson hits a bunch of threes in Jackson’s face, the Wolverines have a tall task. Cassius Winston said this may be the biggest game of the year, so let’s see if they play like it.
Final Score: Michigan 60, Michigan State 75