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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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LINCOLN, NE – JANUARY 17: James Palmer Jr. #0 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers drives against Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 17, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – JANUARY 17: James Palmer Jr. #0 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers drives against Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 17, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

2. MSU holds fourth straight opponent under 65 points

Michigan State has held three straight opponents under 65 points and while that may not seem all that impressive, it sure is considering who the Spartans have played.

They had one game against a struggling Penn State game in which the Nittany Lions had just 56 points but the Spartans held Purdue to 59 and Nebraska to 64. Both of the latter two teams can score at a high rate which makes the defensive outings even more impressive — oh yeah, and they’ve done so without arguably their best perimeter defender, Josh Langford.

Langford will be out yet again and Kyle Ahrens is questionable, but the Spartans always find ways to get that next man up to play a strong game. Aaron Henry has proven to be a solid defender when he’s not fouling and he’ll be inserted into the lineup if Ahrens can’t go.

Cassius Winston is getting better on that end but Anthony Cowan Jr. will have the best game of any Terrapin. Nick Ward and Xavier Tillman will combine to shut down Bruno Fernando and Matt McQuaid will guard the perimeter and shut down the 3-point game.

Michigan State will hold its fourth straight opponent under 65 points.

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