Spartan Avenue
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 9
Next
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by 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: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by 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) /

vs. No. 4 Duke (Dec. 3), Big Ten/ACC Challenge

This game deserves its own page because, well, it might just be the best game on the schedule for both sides, at least in non-conference play.

More from Spartans Basketball

Michigan State, already tested by the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 12 teams in the nation, will host No. 4 Duke in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. While the Blue Devils aren’t quite the same dominant team they were a year ago with Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish spreading the floor, they still have Tre Jones, Javin DeLaurier and incoming freshman Vernon Carey — who actually spurned the Spartans for Duke.

This is going to have the feel of a Final Four matchup and while Duke desperately wants revenge for the Spartans ruining what should have been a national title season, Michigan State’s home-court advantage here is going to make all the difference.

Well that, and a more loaded bench and deeper team, led by the nation’s best player as a senior.

This one comes down to the wire and Tom Izzo wins his second straight game against Coach K for the first time in his career.

Final Score: Duke 72, Michigan State 75 (7-1)

Home/Spartans Basketball