Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for February 2019

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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 16: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Shanquan Hemphill #10 of the Green Bay Phoenix at Breslin Center on December 16, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. Matt McQuaid shoots 45 percent from 3-point range

It’s been his best year yet. Matt McQuaid isn’t quite averaging 10 points per game — though he could do just that in the absence of Josh Langford — but he’s putting up about 8.6 points per contest while shooting a career-high 41 percent from long range. He hasn’t shot this well since he was just a freshman and he’s only getting more confidence.

As crazy as it may sound, his success on the defensive side of the ball is fueling his confidence on offense. He has been regarded as one of the best perimeter defenders in the Big Ten and he may be in the running for the conference’s defensive player of the year.

Unfortunately, he’s just 7-for-26 from behind the 3-point line over the last four games and he needs a bounce-back and that’ll happen in the month of February, setting up a successful March run.

McQuaid will get back to the basics and start hitting 40-plus percent of his shots from long range, actually topping the 45 percent mark for the month. Is this crazy to believe? Absolutely not seeing as he’s still shooting 41 percent on the year after a 7-for-26 stretch.

Expect a hot shooting month from McQuaid, along with elite defense.

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