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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Big Ten finale vs. Michigan

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 24: Cassius Winston #5 and Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans react after a 77-70 win over the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 24: Cassius Winston #5 and Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans react after a 77-70 win over the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Saturday’s rematch is for all the marbles. Michigan and Michigan State basketball are playing for a Big Ten title on Senior Day.

This is going to be one of those games that will be remembered for years and talked about for weeks at work. Michigan and Michigan State basketball facing off for a regular season Big Ten title. Nothing is more important than winning on Senior Day, but when it’s against your top rival for a banner, it becomes all that much more serious.

Michigan State is coming off a nice bounce-back win over Nebraska after losing to Indiana last Saturday for the second time this season — both inexplicable losses.

Michigan, on the other hand, has been riding high since losing to the Spartans a couple of weeks ago, fresh off a weekend win at then-No. 17 Maryland. The Wolverines proved they can beat a ranked team on the road, so the Spartans need to be on high alert.

This is going to be an instant classic, but what exactly can we expect?

5. Spartans struggle to slow Jordan Poole

The first time Michigan State matched up with Jordan Poole, it shut the sophomore scorer down, holding him to just 5-of-13 shooting and 2-of-8 from the 3-point line — both makes came in the final minute. He was held under 10 points for the entire game until his last-minute 3-pointers and was visibly frustrated with his play.

Poole is going to get his revenge with one of his best games of the season as he’ll get hot from 3-point range early on and carry that into a complete game.

The sophomore guard is going to lead the Wolverines in scoring as the Spartans won’t be able to get enough hands in his face to slow him down. Poole will finish with 23 points and make five 3-pointers along the way.

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