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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for November 2018

By Connor Muldowney

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)
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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TULSA, OK – MARCH 19: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 19, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
TULSA, OK – MARCH 19: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 19, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

1. Win over Kansas in the Champions Classic

There’s no doubt about it, Kansas presents a tough matchup for the Spartans in the Champions Classic. The annual event usually features the No. 1 team in the country, and this year is no different as the Spartans will face the top-ranked Jayhawks.

Kansas brings in three big-time transfers in Dedric Lawson and K.J. Lawson as well as California transfer Charlie Moore. The former is expected to be a serious Big 12 Player of the Year candidate and his twin brother, K.J., will contribute on the wing after averaging over 12 points per game two seasons ago. Moore will be a solid contributor in the backcourt as he averaged 12.2 points and 3.5 assists as a freshman with Cal.

Add in returning stars such as Legerald Vick and Udoka Azubuike and a talented freshman class, led by Quentin Grimes, and the Jayhawks are deservedly the No. 1 team in the country.

That doesn’t mean Michigan State won’t play above its ranking.

The Spartans will find a way to win the big game and upset the No. 1 team in the land. With it being the first real action with these transfers and incoming freshmen working together and Kansas only having two returning players who averaged more than 10 points per game last season, the Spartans will be the ‘veteran’ team here.

Next. Top 25 MSU football players of Mark Dantonio era. dark

Michigan State pulls off the upset and puts the nation on notice.

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