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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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MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 12: D’Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers attempts a shot while being guarded by Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half at the Kohl Center on February 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 12: D’Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers attempts a shot while being guarded by Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half at the Kohl Center on February 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

at Wisconsin (Feb. 1)

Like Assembly Hall in Bloomington and Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, there’s just something about playing at the Kohl Center that gets opponents off their game. While this is likely to be a Saturday afternoon game, I think Wisconsin gets the Spartans rattled with a big lead thanks to a 3-point barrage by Nathan Reuvers and D’Mitrick Trice and it’ll be one of those contests where Brad Davison doesn’t miss a shot — at least early on. Michigan State will come back, but fall just short.

Final Score: Michigan State 70, Wisconsin 73 (19-3, 9-2)

vs. Penn State (Feb. 4)

Trap game? Absolutely. Penn State is led by Lamar Stevens who averaged 19.9 points and 7.7 rebounds a year ago and he’s one of the locks for All-Big Ten first team. He’ll give the Spartans a tough time in this one as will Mike Watkins who has been in Happy Valley for about 10 years now. It’ll look like Michigan State is headed for its typical mid-season losing streak, but the Spartans finally wake up in the second half and assert dominance. Cassius Winston has a career day with 30 points and 10 assists to lead MSU back from the dead.

Final Score: Penn State 72, Michigan State 76 (20-3, 10-2)

at Michigan (Feb. 8)

Everyone just assumes Michigan State is going to sweep Michigan this season, but I’m not that optimistic because, well, anything can happen in a rivalry game like this. The Spartans will have trouble with Michigan early on but they’ll overcome the hostile crowd to take a slim lead into the half. Tom Izzo will have his guys fired up out of the locker room, extending the lead to double-digits before Michigan makes a late run. This one comes down to the final minute, but the Spartans escape with a big win in Ann Arbor.

Final Score: Michigan State 71, Michigan 69 (21-3, 11-2)

at Illinois (Feb. 11)

OK, remember what I said about Assembly Hall, Mackey Arena and the Kohl Center? Well, the State Farm Center has had the same effect on opponents over the years. Michigan State specifically has not had much luck in Champaign but it’ll take care of business in this one and it’ll be one of those statement games. Maryland and Purdue will be creeping up on the Spartans in the Big Ten standings, but the green and white will make it quite clear who the conference’s best team is. Was there really ever a doubt?

Final Score: Michigan State 80, Illinois 70 (22-3, 12-2)

vs. No. 7 Maryland (Feb. 15)

This could very well be a top-10 matchup in mid-February and potentially the focus of ESPN’s College GameDay. The Saturday (night?) affair will feature a number of future NBA players in a battle for first place in the Big Ten. This will be the game everyone will be locked in to on Feb. 15 as the Spartans and Terrapins duke it out for not only Big Ten positioning but NCAA Tournament seeding. What a battle this will be as it goes down to the wire with Michigan State eking it out.

Final Score: Maryland 77, Michigan State 81 (23-3, 13-2)

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