Michigan State Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for 2018-19
By Ryan Kay
![NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 03: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during semifinals of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 03: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during semifinals of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/73e6f5d56a2f9af22fbd5a093a01be8166313aa1fdd09763d370bda32d615e75.jpg)
With Michigan State basketball opening up the season on Tuesday night, now is as good a time as any to predict the Spartans’ 2018-19 season.
The 2018-19 season is finally upon us and Michigan State will tip off against No. 1 Kansas on Tuesday night in the Champions Classic. The Spartans will follow that up with a home game against Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday as the opening week will have plenty of exciting action.
Michigan State returns plenty of talent including Cassius Winston, Nick Ward and Josh Langford along with co-captain Matt McQuaid, sixth man Xavier Tillman and a finally-healthy Kyle Ahrens. Add in a solid five-man recruiting class and this could be a special season for the green and white.
How will the Spartans fare in 2018-19? We break it down with game-by-game predictions.
Nov. 6: vs. Kansas (Champions Classic)
Michigan State with their experience wins a close game against the Jayhawks. If this game was played in February, Kansas would more than likely win by double digits. However, Kansas has a lot of new players in terms of transfers and freshmen, so the Spartans get somewhat lucky playing them in the season opener on a neutral court.
Prediction: Victory for MSU (1-0)
Nov. 11: vs. Florida Gulf Coast
Expect this game to be a 20-30 point victory against a team like Kansas with transfers and the incoming freshman but without any of the top talent that the Jayhawks possess.
Prediction: Victory for MSU (2-0)
Nov. 14: vs. Louisiana Monroe
This game may be a 30-40 point victory for the green and white as you will see some freshmen get some quality minutes in this one.
Prediction: Victory for MSU (3-0)
Nov. 18: vs. Tennessee Tech
This will be the third straight blowout win for the Spartans and we should all see at this point if Nick Ward and Xavier Tillman can play on the floor together and not be a defensive liability.
Prediction: Victory for MSU (4-0)