Michigan State basketball: 5 bold predictions for ranked battle with UCLA

Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. UCLA in Las Vegas Invitational

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Tom Izzo the head coach talks with Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 06: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

4. Cassius Winston dishes 13 assists

Along with having a low turnover count against the Bruins, Cassius Winston will have one of his best assist games as a Spartan. Sure, he’s broken the 10-assist mark before, but he’ll be closer to 15 before the game is over.

The junior point guard will finish the game with just two turnovers to go along with 13 assists. He’ll improve on his 7.3 per game numbers and slightly cut the 2.3 turnovers per game.

Michigan State’s offense has been clicking on all cylinders, outside of some shaky 3-point shooting, over the past few games, dating back to the second half against Kansas. Since that half, the Spartans have been scoring almost at will, hitting the century mark twice.

While they may not score 100 against No. 17 UCLA, the Spartans should have no problem scoring at a high rate and potentially reaching 80. With Winston’s passes being on point all evening, the Spartans will break 85 points and he’ll even reach double-digits himself.

A nice double-double on Thanksgiving against a ranked team can do wonders for the point guard’s confidence.

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