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Michigan State Basketball: Preview, prediction vs. Wisconsin in season finale

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after hitting a 3 point shot in the 2nd half during the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after hitting a 3 point shot in the 2nd half during the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball will meet up with Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon in the regular season finale. Here’s everything you need to know.

Another week, another batch of off-court distractions. Michigan State is now dealing with FBI investigations, but so far, all that has come out regarding the Spartans is an alleged $400 and free dinner Miles Bridges’ mother received. So, for now, we turn our attention to the hardwood.

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

The Spartans (27-3, 15-2 Big Ten) will hit the road this weekend, matching up with a suddenly-hot Wisconsin (14-16, 7-10) team. No, the Badgers aren’t world-beaters, but they are currently riding a three-game winning streak and have won 4-of-5. In that stretch, they beat Purdue, Minnesota, Illinois and won at Northwestern.

Michigan State is riding an 11-game streak but there is some uncertainty regarding Bridges’ availability for the game. Rumor has it he will avoid a short suspension, at least for now, and suit up for the Spartans on Sunday afternoon.

Here’s how you can watch the regular season finale:

Date: Sunday, Feb. 25
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Madison, Wisc.
Venue: Kohl Center
TV: CBS
Live Stream: CBS Sports Live

Keys to victory

The distractions over the past couple of days have been deafening, but Michigan State must block out the noise and focus on the task at hand. The second this team loses focus, it’ll be bad news. Like the first half of the Northwestern game, we found out what an unfocused Michigan State team looks like on the road. Focus is the No. 1 priority, but it’s not going to be easy at a time like this.

Outside of mental preparedness, the Spartans must shut down Ethan Happ. The junior big man is essentially the main mean of offensive production and if he’s not scoring, Wisconsin’s offense isn’t scoring either. The Badgers go as he goes and if he’s shut down, Michigan State will run away with the win.

Wisconsin players to watch

The Badgers have suffered plenty of injuries this season, which have put a damper on the outcome. They’re going to miss out on their first NCAA Tournament since 1998, barring an epic run in the Big Ten Tournament. Here are the players who could give the Spartans trouble, though.

  • Ethan Happ — 18.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 53% FG shooting
  • Brad Davison — 11.5 points, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 37% 3-point shooting
  • Brevin Pritzl — 9.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 40% FG shooting
  • Khalil Iverson — 8.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 55% FG shooting

Next: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for February

Prediction

Although the off-court distractions with the FBI investigation are prevalent, the Spartans will maintain focus on Sunday in order to take down the Badgers and lock up an outright Big Ten title. The Badgers aren’t going to lay down quietly, though. Wisconsin’s Ethan Happ will go off for 20 points to keep the Badgers in the game and it’ll be within five at halftime. The Spartans will pull away in the second half thanks to some dominant play on both ends by Jaren Jackson Jr. and Miles Bridges will step up in the clutch as well.

Final Score: Michigan State 73, Wisconsin 61

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