Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Iowa in Week 14

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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 10: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts to a play during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Breslin Center on January 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Jaren Jackson Jr. blocks eight shots

Am I crazy? Potentially, but this number of blocks doesn’t seem that far-fetched anymore. Jaren Jackson Jr. fell just one short of the school record for blocks in a single game against Indiana on Saturday night, swatting seven shots — six of those seemed to come before Indiana even blinked.

Jackson Jr. has been the most impressive shot-blocker in Michigan State history and his legend is going to grow against the Hawkeyes.

Iowa just isn’t prepared for his defense in the post and even on the perimeter. He’s going to be ready for whatever the Hawkeyes throw at him offensively and he’s been known to send jump shots back. His long wingspan will be a nightmare for the Hawkeyes’ offense.

The Hawkeyes like to run and gun and that’s why they average over 80 points per game. Like Indiana, though, they won’t be prepared for the block party and they’ll foolishly keep going at Jackson Jr. in the post.

I’m calling a tie of a career-high for Jackson Jr. with eight blocks. He last did that at Rutgers in December.

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