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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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BLOOMINGTON, IN – MARCH 02: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket around Rob Phinisee #10 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on March 2, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – MARCH 02: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket around Rob Phinisee #10 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on March 2, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

vs. Wisconsin (Jan. 17)

Greg Gard took over for Bo Ryan five years ago and he’s done a solid job with the program even though he had a couple of rough years. Now losing Ethan Happ will be an entirely different beast as he was one of the program’s all-time great players and replacing him will be next to impossible. D’Mitrik Trice, younger brother of former Spartan Travis, returns to lead the team along with Kobe King, Brad Davison and Nate Reuvers. This team may not look great on paper, but it’s going to be a tough out. Just not in this one as the Spartans continue their dominance over the Badgers.

Final Score: Wisconsin 66, Michigan State 81 (16-2, 6-1)

at Indiana (Jan. 23)

How in the world did Michigan State lose twice to Indiana last season? The Hoosiers were nothing more than an average Big Ten squad and Michigan State had them right where it wanted them both times only to choke a couple of wins away. Well, the Spartans face Indiana just once this season and it happens to be in one of the toughest venues to play in the nation at Assembly Hall. But this time Michigan State will come to play and avoid another massive letdown. Cassius Winston will have himself a game, but it’ll be Aaron Henry who gives the Hoosiers fits as they’ll have no answer. Indiana is a program on the rise, but it’s still a couple of years away.

Final Score: Michigan State 77, Indiana 66 (17-2, 7-1)

at Minnesota (Jan. 26)

This could be a tricky game for the Spartans. Minnesota is never an easy place to play and the Gophers seem to always have some luck at home against top teams — just look at Purdue last season. That doesn’t mean the Spartans are going to fall victim, though. Xavier Tillman is going to own Daniel Oturu and the Gophers won’t have an answer for Cassius. This could also be one of those games where an unsung hero rises to the occasion and I’ll go with Rocket Watts here.

Final Score: Michigan State 74, Minnesota 69 (18-2, 8-1)

vs. Northwestern (Jan. 29)

Northwestern comes to town to end the month of January and this one won’t be much of a contest. Michigan State will overwhelm Northwestern in just about every facet of the game and head into February just one win from 20 on the season.

Final Score: Northwestern 55, Michigan State 85 (19-2, 9-1)

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