Michigan State Basketball: Final score predictions vs. Minnesota in Week 15
Minnesota will be a tough test for Michigan State basketball on Tuesday night, but the Spartans have what it takes to pass.
Not many teams can beat a top-five squad and somehow lose respect in the eyes of AP voters and the NCAA Tournament selection committee, but Michigan State managed to do that. They have been snubbed left and right in rankings and projections over the past week, but all that matters from this point on is winning.
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If the Spartans continue to win, the rest will take care of itself. They have won eight straight games and will get a shot to improve that number to nine on Tuesday night against the reeling Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The Spartan Avenue staff weighs in on final score predictions for Michigan State versus Minnesota. Are there any upset picks? Hint: no.
Connor Muldowney: Just like the rest of the games away from the Breslin Center, this one isn’t going to be a cakewalk. Winning in Minneapolis isn’t easy and the Spartans will have to scratch and claw for this victory, even against a struggling Minnesota team. Nick Ward and Jaren Jackson Jr. are both going to bounce back in a big way and Cassius Winston will continue his clean play, leading the Spartans to a strong win. The lackluster Minnesota defense will be the difference in this one, even with Nate Mason having a strong game.
Final Score: Michigan State 81, Minnesota 74
Adam Zdroik: Minnesota is a mess having lost its last seven games, although only two of those came at home. The main question is what the status of Amir Coffey and Dupree McBrayer will be, both of whom missed last Friday’s blowout loss to Indiana. Even if those guys play, it’ll be hard to take the Gophers. That said, MSU could have trouble stopping Jordan Murphy, especially if Nick Ward is asked to defend him. If Murphy can have success and Nate Mason doesn’t miss most of his shots, this will be too close for comfort. The problem for Minnesota is that it has no one to defend Miles Bridges and ranks as one of the worst defenses in the conference.
Final Score: Michigan State 75, Minnesota 68
Stephen Robb: It has been a tough season for Minnesota and its blowout loss to Indiana was a bitter pill to swallow — they have now lost seven straight games. MSU is coming of in my opinion a ‘confirmation win.’ The Spartans’ win against Purdue proved the hype that has surrounded this team since Miles Bridges came back. The Spartans are playing their best basketball at the right time.
Final Score: Michigan State 85, Minnesota 62
Michael Briggs: Michigan State’s win over Purdue on Saturday has put the Spartans in striking distance of first place in the Big Ten. To keep their conference title dreams alive, they likely need to win out, starting with Tuesday’s road game against Minnesota.
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The Golden Gophers enter the contest on a seven-game losing streak and have lost nine of their past ten. Michigan State, meanwhile, has won eight straight and is coming off of its most impactful victory of the season. Minnesota will not be a pushover, but it would be shocking to see it stick with Michigan State past halftime. This MSU team looked like a title contender against the Boilermakers, and a dominant performance against the Gophers will lend more weight to this argument. While we’re more accustomed to the outside noise fueling the MSU football team, it appears Izzo’s crew has been motivated by it recently, as well. I expect that to continue on Tuesday night.
Final Score: Michigan State 86, Minnesota 64