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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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 26: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Breslin Center on January 26, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Jaren Jackson Jr. blocks six more shots

Jaren Jackson Jr. is a straight-up shot-blocking machine. It almost seems like this kid was born to swat shots. In fact, he averages 3.4 per game and is third in college basketball in total blocks this season with 77 — a new Michigan State single-season record.

The freshman big man is an intimidating force in the post and he’s not afraid to sell out for a big block, even if it means coming help-side and abandoning his man. He did so when Anthony Cowan drove baseline against the Spartans in the final minute and looked to be headed for an easy layup. Jackson Jr. blocked the shot and essentially sealed the victory.

Against Penn State, he will replicate what he did to Illinois last Monday, and that’s finish with six more blocks. He’s reached that number on multiple occasions this season but these six will put him over 80 on the season — an unprecedented number in the green and white.

Tony Carr is going to get blocked a couple of times trying to drive the lane and Mike Watkins will be sent back trying to go up for layups or baby-hooks.

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