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

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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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) /

4. Michigan State out-rebounds Penn State by 10-plus

Believe it or not, Penn State is one of the better rebounding teams Michigan State will face throughout the Big Ten campaign. The Nittany Lions have guys like Mike Watkins and Lamar Stevens in the post, grabbing a combine 17 rebounds per game while guards such as Tony Carr, Josh Reaves and Nazeer Bostick each average close to five per game.

The Nittany Lions crash the glass as good as anyone in the conference and it’s rare to see a trio of guards average more than 4.3 rebounds per contest. I’s what they practice and something they take pride in. Getting second-chance points is what helps them hang with superior opponents.

Need an example of just how good a rebounding team Penn State is? Rutgers, which gave the Spartans fits on the glass, was out-rebounded by 15 against the Nittany Lions in a 60-43 Penn State win.

However, Michigan State is going to flip that script and out-rebound the Nittany Lions by at least 10, shutting down multiple second-chance opportunities. Michigan State will also hold Penn State to five offensive rebounds total.

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