Michigan State Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for December 2018

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots against Jericho Sims #20 of the Texas Longhorns during the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Michigan State defeated Texas 78-68. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

This is one of those annual matchups that gives Michigan State trouble. The Oakland Golden Grizzlies usually have the talent to upset a team like the Spartans and Greg Kampe has done an incredible job with the program, but his team doesn’t quite have the firepower this year compared to seasons past.

In fact, his team began the season 0-3 with losses to Toledo, Western Michigan and UNLV before winning three straight against nobodies.

Two consecutive losses as the month of December is just beginning has dropped the Grizzlies to just 3-5 on the year and it would take an improbable Horizon League title to get this team back to the NCAA Tournament.

The Grizzlies don’t have much of a defense, allowing over 75 points per game, and they’re averaging just under 29 rebounds per contest. Michigan State could out-rebound the Grizzlies by 25 in this one en route to a comfortable win.

This isn’t going to be a close one like it years past as the Spartans will dominate Oakland in front of their home crowd and Nick Ward will have the best game of his junior season.

Final Score: Oakland 64, Michigan State 85 (10-2)

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