Michigan State basketball: 5 bold predictions for Sweet 16 bout vs. LSU

Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Sweet 16 matchup vs. LSU

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Cassius Winston #5, Foster Loyer #3, Xavier Tillman #23 and Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate from the bench against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 17: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during the championship game of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2. Kenny Goins, Matt McQuaid come up clutch

It’s been a few games since we’ve been able to tout the “Big Shot Kenny” nickname on social media after splashing home a clutch 3-pointer, but that could all change on Friday night with a back-and-forth contest against the Tigers.

Goins went 0-for-11 from 3-point range in his final two games before the round of 32 matchup against Minnesota. He struggled against Michigan in the Big Ten title game as well as against Bradley in the first round contest which nearly cost the Spartans a win.

The senior forward made 2-of-4 shots from distance against Minnesota to get back on track.

McQuaid has been making big shots all season, so this won’t be much of a surprise, but he and Goins will make back-to-back clutch 3-pointers for the Spartans to give them the lead in the final three minutes.

The Spartans will need other guys to step up in order to hold on, but the game will go from a two-point LSU lead with three minutes left to a four-point Michigan State advantage because of these two hitting back-to-back huge threes.

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