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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Week 12 Maryland matchup

By Connor Muldowney

LINCOLN, NE - JANUARY 17: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans drives against Glynn Watson Jr. #5 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 17, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - JANUARY 17: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans drives against Glynn Watson Jr. #5 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 17, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball has gotten off to a strong start in Big Ten play and it’ll hope to continue that on Monday night against Maryland.

Maryland and Michigan State are both riding long winning streaks heading into Monday night’s battle in East Lansing. The Spartans have won 11 straight since a loss at Louisville in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge and the Terrapins are on a seven-game streak. Something’s got to give in East Lansing.

Mark Turgeon and the Terrapins always seem to play the Spartans tough and this matchup will be no different as Maryland will likely be a top-15 team at the time of the battle, exceeding expectations with a balanced team with veterans and solid young players.

Michigan State needs to win this one to stay in first place in the Big Ten while Maryland is trying to claw its way to the top with an upset victory.

Can Tom Izzo’s Spartans take care of the Terrapins or will Maryland bite Michigan State again?

5. Spartans make 50 percent from 3-point range

Believe it or not, Michigan State hasn’t depended on the 3-pointer much this season like it did, at times, in 2017-18. In fact, the most critical game of the season — against Syracuse — saw the Spartans take 30-plus threes and make just a handful to lose in heartbreaking and shocking fashion.

Tom Izzo has no problem with his team taking long-range jumpers assuming they aren’t ill-advised, early in the shot clock or attempted by the wrong person. He’s usually happy when his guys aren’t afraid to pull the trigger and he’s gotten on Matt McQuaid’s, Foster Loyer’s and even Cassius Winston’s cases before about passing up open shots.

The Spartans haven’t been attempted 30 shots from distance on a regular basis this season and won’t on Monday night, but they will attempt about 20-22. Making even eight of those would be a great game, but the Spartans will go one step further and make 11-of-22 to shoot 50 percent on the night.

With a shooting performance like that from distance, it’s nearly impossible to beat this team, especially when it can run and gun, too.

Winston will have four, Gabe Brown will make two, McQuaid will drop three and both Aaron Henry and Kenny Goins will make one.

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