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Michigan State Basketball: 10 bold predictions for 2018-19 season

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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TULSA, OK – MARCH 19: Carlton Bragg Jr. #15 of the Kansas Jayhawks is defended by Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans 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: Carlton Bragg Jr. #15 of the Kansas Jayhawks is defended by Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans 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) /

6. MSU upsets No. 1 Kansas, loses to Louisville

Tom Izzo has admitted in the past that he’s not afraid to schedule anyone, anywhere. He’s not responsible for putting Kansas on the schedule, as it’s just the rotation of the annual Champions Classic, but the Spartans will get a chance to upset the No. 1 team in the country in the opener, and they’ll do just that.

Kansas is an elite team, don’t get me wrong, but the Spartans are slightly more experienced and gelled together. The Jayhawks are adding a few transfers and this is their first real action together and there could be some bumps in the road.

To think the Jayhawks will be seamlessly molding together from day one would be silly, though it’s possible. Still, I think Michigan State’s experience is the difference in the opener as most of the guys in the rotation have played with each other for a couple of years now.

After the big win and ensuing momentum gained, the Spartans will travel to Louisville for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, and that won’t go so well.

Winning in Louisville is never easy and the Spartans will have a tough time dealing with the hostile environment in their first true road game of the season, losing to the unranked Cardinals.

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