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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Penn State in Week 13

By Connor Muldowney

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) /
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Michigan State basketball will host Penn State on Wednesday night in a crucial Big Ten matchup. Here’s our attempt at being bold.

One day after Tom Izzo celebrated his 63rd birthday in the middle of what’s been a blur of a week, Michigan State is gearing up to host Penn State. The Nittany Lions have been playing well lately, even taking down Ohio State last week in Columbus. Can they do the same to the Spartans?

Penn State continues to get better each season and the Nittany Lions might just make the NCAA Tournament this year. In order for that to happen, the Nittany Lions must add another couple solid wins to their resume — and one in East Lansing would be ideal.

Here are five of our boldest predictions for Wednesday night’s matchup against Penn State.

5. Tony Carr held under 10 points

Tony Carr is the top scorer the Nittany Lions have to throw out there against Michigan State on Wednesday, but it won’t be him giving the Spartans the most trouble. Actually, it will be Mike Watkins who averages a double-double and is severely underrated as a rebounder and shot-blocker.

Carr is a solid player in his own regard, though. However, the Spartans are going to hold him in check. I can see Cassius Winston guarding him as well as Josh Langford, but no matter who matches up with him, they will play lockdown defense, holding him to under 10 points.

The sophomore guard shoots a lot — especially with his team down or in a close game. In fact, he took 23 shots in the season-opener against Campbell, 25 in a loss to NC State, 22 in a loss to Wisconsin, 23 in a loss to Maryland and a whopping 30 in a loss to Minnesota. He will get his shots up, but for the second time in four games, he’ll fail to break double-digits in scoring — and for the third time this season.

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