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Michigan State basketball: Previewing 3 key 2019-20 non-conference games

By Nate Rhoades

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts 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 Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts 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 Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against Javin DeLaurier #12 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against Javin DeLaurier #12 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Duke Blue Devils (Dec. 3)

The third and final top-six matchup the Spartans will play in its non-conference slate is Duke which will be an Elite Eight rematch from this past March. Tom Izzo and his Spartans bested the Blue Devils but they normally have the Hall of Fame head coach’s number.

What will happen in December when Duke is relying on Tre Jones to lead the way with a bunch of inexperienced players while Cassius Winston is leading the way with a bunch of experience, bringing back all but three players from last year’s Final Four team?

Overall the Blue Devils will be inexperienced but Mike Krzyzewski is a phenomenal coach who knows how to get the best of his players during any type of game. Coach K has a great point guard who has chosen to stay with Duke in Jones whose number will be called on heavily especially early on as he is trying to show his teammates what it is like play the college game.

Matthew Hurt is only a freshmen but he could make a big impact early in the season as he has an incredible ability to score the ball and has the athleticism that is needed in order to help Duke beat the Spartans.

Michigan State will likely key Jones all game because he is the one with the most experience and knows how to play the Spartans.

The good thing for the Spartans is that the Blue Devils do not have a killer 3-point specialist. Duke struggled with shooting from deep last season and it appears that it will struggle again with no sure-fire threat in its pocket.

Michigan State’s defense should be able to stifle the already lackluster shooting of Duke.

Prediction: MSU wins by 5

Next. MSU Football: Ranking 2019 opponents by toughness. dark

Michigan State, per usual, has a tough non-conference slate to get it prepared for March. The Spartans will have their work cut out for them trying to win all three. When we watch these games, we will most likely be watching at least one of the Final Four teams in March leave it on the court early on in the season. Tune in to watch these highly-regarded games and see who will rise to the top.

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