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Michigan State Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for 2019-20 season

By Connor Muldowney

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Xavier Tillman #23 and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after beating the Ohio State Buckeyes 77-70 during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Xavier Tillman #23 and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after beating the Ohio State Buckeyes 77-70 during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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The 2019-20 Michigan State basketball season tips off on Tuesday night and here’s how the Spartans will fare in the Champions Classic and beyond.

Tom Izzo knows the pressure is on. If there was ever a season that Michigan State would be almost expected to win the national title, it would be 2019-20 — many would have argued that the 2017-18 squad was his most talented team ever, but it fell drastically short of expectations.

Michigan State is ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25 for the first time in school history and that has put a gigantic target on this team’s back with the season tipping off on Tuesday.

How will the Spartans fare in 2019-20?

vs. Kentucky (Nov. 5), Champions Classic

This is one of those games that could end up being an instant classic. Michigan State and Kentucky face off in the much-anticipated Champions Classic and this year, the battle is between No. 1 and No. 2. The Spartans have been in No. 1 vs. No. 2 battles before in the Champions Classic, but never as the nation’s top team.

Kentucky is absolutely loaded, per usual, and the Wildcats are going to give Michigan State one heck of a fight, but Tom Izzo will have his team prepared.

Xavier Tillman is going to have a big game in the post, a couple of freshmen are going to step up, Cassius Winston will have an All-American type game and the bench will prove to be too deep, wearing the young Wildcats down.

This one will be close, but a big second half by the Spartans will be the difference.

Final Score: Kentucky 73, Michigan State 77 (1-0)

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