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Michigan State Basketball: Score predictions vs. Northwestern in Week 15

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 31: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks to Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Breslin Center on January 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 31: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks to Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Breslin Center on January 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Beating Northwestern on Saturday afternoon won’t be easy, but Michigan State basketball is rolling right now with no end in sight.

Michigan State’s second-to-last road game won’t be an easy on as the Spartans will be hitting the road to face Northwestern on Saturday afternoon. The basketball team is hoping for better luck than Mark Dantonio’s squad but it’ll take a complete effort.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for February

If Michigan State can beat Northwestern, the Spartans would almost assuredly lock up a spot atop the Big Ten standings — assuming they don’t crumble against Illinois and Wisconsin. That’s what makes this contest more interesting.

The Wildcats have plenty of talent but have yet to really put it all together in a disappointing 2017-18 season. Will they be able to pull off a massive upset of Michigan State on Saturday afternoon in Rosemont, Ill.?

Here are the Spartan Avenue staff’s predictions.

Connor Muldowney: There will be a number of matchup nightmares on the court for Northwestern, but that doesn’t mean Michigan State is going to run away with this. The Wildcats don’t have anyone who can effectively guard Jaren Jackson Jr. and Nick Ward which will be an issue. On top of that, Miles Bridges will cause problems and Cassius Winston will play a smart game. Despite all of that, the Wildcats will keep this one within arm’s reach before ultimately running out of gas. Some late 3-pointers will make it look much closer.

Final Score: Michigan State 73, Northwestern 64

Adam Zdroik: I thought Minnesota would’ve been tough, but then half their team didn’t overcome injury. Northwestern will be different. Even without a great home court advantage playing roughly 40 minutes from campus, the Wildcats recently beat Michigan and Penn State at home. On paper, they have the bodies to match up down low and Bryant McIntosh’s size will cause Cassius Winston some trouble. But … there’s no reason to trust this team with a 6-8 Big Ten record. Jaren Jackson will have his way against Gavin Skelly and Nick Ward will give all kinds of problems to Dererk Pardon, who missed this game last season (so did Bridges).

Final Score: Michigan State 68, Northwestern 60

Michael Briggs: Michigan State followed up its big win over Purdue with a great performance on the road at Minnesota, thrashing the Gophers by 30 points. It was the type of showing Spartans fans have been waiting to see and one that reminded the nation that MSU is a legitimate national title contender.

Ohio State’s loss to Penn State has since offered Michigan State an opportunity to claim at least a share of the Big Ten regular season title. With two road games and a matchup against Illinois in East Lansing, it shouldn’t be a cakewalk, but if the Spartans are focused the final scores should make it appear that way. The first opponent on the slate, Northwestern, probably wishes it played MSU a week ago. Since upsetting 22nd-ranked Michigan on Feb. 6, the Wildcats have lost to Maryland by 16 and Rutgers by 9 in overtime.

MSU will dominate from start to finish, with Miles Bridges leading the way after a quiet performance against Minnesota.

Final Score: Michigan State 83, Northwestern 59

Next: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for February

Stephen Robb: MSU travels to face the gritty fighting Chris Collins-led Wildcats. The Spartans need to be on upset alert with this team. They play great defense and team basketball. Northwestern is led by senior guard Scottie Lindsey who stands 6-foot-5.

The Wildcats go as Lindsey does therefore keep an eye on him. The Spartans are coming off huge wins with Purdue and Minnesota. MSU is a heavy favorite but it will need to show up to put this scrappy team away. If they pull off a win then it’ll prove they are peaking at the right time.

Final Score: Michigan State 75, Northwestern 60

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