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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for 2018 Big Ten Tournament

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans gives instructions to his teammates during a game against 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: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans gives instructions to his teammates during a game against 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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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 13: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 13: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

3. Michigan State will exact revenge on Michigan

This rematch has been circled on the calendars of Spartan fans, players and coaches ever since the Wolverines came to East Lansing and pulled off a mammoth upset back in January. Michigan was unranked at the time, but it out-toughed, out-played and out-hustled the Spartans on the way to an 82-72 victory.

March is always the best time for rematches and chances at revenge because it just means more during this time of the year. In 2014, Michigan State lost both regular season games against Michigan, but got the opportunity to exact revenge in the Big Ten title game against the 1-seeded Michigan Wolverines and the Spartans did just that, winning 69-55.

A win in the conference tournament would almost take away the sting of losing at home to the top rival — almost.

The Spartans want revenge, but it’s not going to be easy. The Wolverines are a strong team and they’re getting hot at the right time. They’ve been thrashing through opponents and Michigan State doesn’t match up all that well.

However, the Spartans will get their revenge in the form of a 76-71 win in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament, getting a chance to play Purdue again in the title.

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