Michigan State Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for February 2019

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 02: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by Barret Benson #25 of the Northwestern Wildcats in the first half at Breslin Center on January 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 02: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by Barret Benson #25 of the Northwestern Wildcats in the first half at Breslin Center on January 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 13: Head coach Tom Izzo, Associate Head Coach Dwayne Stephens and Assistant Coach Dane Fife of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 13: Head coach Tom Izzo, Associate Head Coach Dwayne Stephens and Assistant Coach Dane Fife of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

This is the game everyone has been waiting for. Michigan State and Michigan — two rivals who just don’t like each other.

Michigan has won the last three meetings between these two heated rivals but the Spartans won five in a row before that. It’s been a streaky series of late, but Michigan has all the bragging rights in the world, winning the last three by double figures. They’ve been absolutely dominant against Michigan State, but the bleeding has to stop soon, right?

There’s a distinct possibility John Beilein notches his fourth straight win over Tom Izzo in the rivalry and if that does happen, the “Beilien is better than Izzo” talk will be deafening.

No Spartan on the roster wants to lose to Michigan yet again and Cassius Winston and Nick Ward won’t let it happen. They’ll get the young guys to buy into the rivalry hatred and the Spartans will steal one on the road from the favored Wolverines in an instant classic that will see a last-second shot from Jordan Poole fall short.

Next. 5 reasons MSU can still contend without Josh Langford. dark

If you have heart issues, I would not suggest watching this one as it’ll be back and forth all day long, ending in a thriller.

Prediction: Michigan State 68, Michigan 66 (24-4, 15-2)