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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for top-10 matchup with Michigan

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 13: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts to a play during a 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 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts to a play during a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 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) /

1. Game will come down to final minute but Michigan wins

If you looked at the starting fives last year in this rivalry compared to this season, you’d be shocked at the differences. On Sunday, you won’t see Mo Wagner, Duncan Robinson, Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., Nick Ward or Josh Langford. That’s seven starters gone from the two squads.

For most teams, that would mean a major drop-off in production, but not for the Spartans and Wolverines as both teams could be better than last year’s.

Maybe not talent-wise, but Michigan and Michigan State just have a different look and feel to them at this point in the season than they did last year. Both have a good chance to make a run in the NCAA Tournament, as long as health isn’t an issue.

They will also play one heck of a game on Sunday afternoon despite the Spartans being down two key starters — Ward and Langford — due to injuries.

Sunday’s contest will go back-and-forth as you will feel the momentum shift every few minutes and it’ll be mostly defense-based.

Next. MSU basketball: Game-by-game predictions for February. dark

In the end, though, the Wolverines will make a 3-pointer in the final minute to break a tie and the Spartans won’t be able to respond. Michigan wins this one 68-63 thanks to a clutch shot from Jordan Poole and a miss on the other end from Cassius Winston.

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