Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for battle at Penn State

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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Cassius Winston #5 while playing the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-59. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Cassius Winston won’t turn the ball over

Cassius Winston is having himself one heck of a season. He’s averaging 18 points per game to go along with a career-high 7.4 assists and career-low 2.2 turnovers while shooting 49 percent of the floor and 46 percent from 3-point range. He’s looking like the Big Ten Player of the Year but there’s still a long season ahead.

However, he has nine turnovers over his last three games after posting just three in his previous three contests. He had five last time out against Purdue and you could tell he was unhappy with the way he played when it came to ball protection but he’ll have that fixed against the Nittany Lions.

Winston will have his first turnover-less game since Northern Illinois back on Dec. 29 and will finish with over 20 points as well. He may not top 10 assists again, but he will make four more 3-pointers, remaining hot from long range.

The biggest takeaway from all of this is the no turnovers. The Spartans have come to expect 20 points from him, especially without Josh Langford, but taking care of the ball should be a difference-maker in the outcome.

Michigan State will finish with less than 10 as a team.

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