Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for massive game at Purdue

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 09: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after making a three-point shot during the second half of the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the Breslin Center on January 9, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 09: Aaron Henry #11 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the Breslin Center on January 9, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Aaron Henry steps up offensively

Since a horrid performance against Northwestern, Aaron Henry looks like a different player. He has looked for his own shot more and he doesn’t second-guess his drives anymore. He had three straight double-digit scoring performances following the Northwestern game but has just 13 total points in the last two.

Henry will surpass that total on Sunday afternoon in West Lafayette as he steps up on the offensive end, burning either a Nojel Eastern or a Sasha Stefanovic to the basket on a regular basis. He’ll finish with 16 points and six rebounds to go along with a couple of steals defensively and a block as well.

Looking for his own shot is one thing, but Henry plays a lot better when he puts the ball on the floor and either pulls up in the mid-range, puts up a baby-hook near the basket or just rises over defenders for nifty layups in traffic. He is extremely athletic and needs to use that to his advantage.

Michigan State needs someone to step up other than Cassius Winston or Xavier Tillman on the offensive end, especially on the road, and that will be Henry on Sunday.

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