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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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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

at Nebraska (Feb. 20)

A new face will be on the bench for Nebraska in this one as Fred Hoiberg took the job after Tim Miles was let go last season. He will get this program back on track — eventually. This season will be a complete rebuild with guys like James Palmer, Isaac Copeland Jr., Glynn Watson Jr. and Isaiah Roby all departing. Expect a down year and potentially less than 15 total wins. This one should be all Spartans.

Final Score: Michigan State 87, Nebraska 68 (24-3, 14-2)

vs. Iowa (Feb. 25)

For the first time on the season, Michigan State will see Fran McCaffery and the Iowa Hawkeyes. East Lansing won’t be a friendly venue for the Hawkeyes who might also be in a rebuilding year after losing Tyler Cook and Isaiah Moss but they won’t be a complete layup. Cassius Winston has himself a game against Jordan Bohannon and Xavier Tillman dominates a freed-up post.

Final Score: Iowa 61, Michigan State 75 (25-3, 15-2)

at No. 7 Maryland (Feb. 29)

Remember when I said last matchup with Maryland was going to be huge? Well, this one, too, will be on a Saturday and could also be for first place in the Big Ten standings. Maryland is one of the toughest places to play in the nation and Michigan State lost the last time it played in College Park in heartbreaking fashion. Expect a similar result here as Anthony Cowan hits a clutch shot late to give the Terps a big win.

Final Score: Michigan State 72, Maryland 73 (25-4, 15-3)

at Penn State (March 3)

Michigan State just needs to finish strong and that means taking care of teams that it’s supposed to, like Penn State. The Nittany Lions gave the Spartans a tough time in East Lansing, but they don’t have the best home environments out there, so this one might not be that much of a trap. Michigan State wins this one easily.

Final Score: Michigan State 82, Penn State 61 (26-4, 16-3)

Next. MSU Basketball: 10 bold predictions for 2019-20 season. dark

vs. No. 18 Ohio State (March 8)

It’s a shame that Michigan State doesn’t see Ohio State until the final game of the regular season, but what better way to officially lock up the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, an outright regular season conference title and a 27th win than against the top-20 Buckeyes? Chris Holtmann has done a great job with this program and they’ll be ranked heading into this one, but Michigan State will be too much, especially with Cassius playing his last game at the Breslin Center.

Final Score: Ohio State 64, Michigan State 74 (27-4, 17-3)

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