Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. suddenly-hot Minnesota

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against Michael Hurt #42 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against Michael Hurt #42 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 05: Kyle Ahrens #0 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts with teammates after a three point basket against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at the Breslin Center on January 05, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 87-69. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 05: Kyle Ahrens #0 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts with teammates after a three point basket against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at the Breslin Center on January 05, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 87-69. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Michigan State stays hot from deep

Michigan State has seemed to have turned the corner in terms of shooting the basketball. The Spartans were struggling to hit from long-range for the better part of the first two months, but the last four games have yielded much better results.

In fact, over the last four games, Michigan State has made 39 3-pointers and is shooting 41 percent from deep. In the first 11 games of the year, the Spartans made 79 shots from distance, making just 32 percent of them. To say there’s been an uptick in production and efficiency would be an understatement. This recent hot streak has been a breath of fresh air.

There was something missing in the first month and a half of the season and shooting may have just been it. The Spartans are not finding the open man and the right guys are making the shots.

That will continue against the Golden Gophers as the Spartans will make 10-of-24 shots from 3-point range, continuing the positive trend.

Cassius Winston will have a big game from deep, as will Rocket Watts, Kyle Ahrens and Gabe Brown. Foster Loyer will even come off the bench and hit a couple of big ones.