Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for November 2018

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans coaches against the Bucknell Bison during the first half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 10: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts to a call during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Breslin Center on January 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. Spartans lose one of first two road games

Ah, the beauty of early-season college basketball. Michigan State won’t see a true road game until Nov. 27 when it hits the road to take on Louisville in the annual Big Ten-ACC Challenge. Three days later, the Spartans will face Rutgers in Piscataway, presenting a sneaky-tough matchup.

Last season at Rutgers, the Spartans struggled before finding a way to win 62-52. That was the game that seemed to catch the media’s attention in regards to a disconnect between Nick Ward and Tom Izzo.

Fortunately, Ward will be the go-to star for the Spartans this season, so there should be no controversy in terms of minutes played unless the big junior is in foul trouble or gassed. Still, Rutgers could be a tricky matchup for the Spartans on the road, though Corey Sanders is gone.

Geo Baker could be that guy who goes off against the green and white and puts them on upset alert while Louisville, too, has some guys who could cause problems — even though this isn’t the same Louisville team that Rick Pitino had coached.

The Spartans will struggle in these first two road games, getting used to some early adversity, and they will lose one of them to end the month 7-1.

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