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Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for must-win battle at Michigan

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 05: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half while playing the Michigan Wolverines 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: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half while playing the Michigan Wolverines 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) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 01: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball while being guarded by Nate Reuvers #35 and D’Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at the Kohl Center on February 01, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 01: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball while being guarded by Nate Reuvers #35 and D’Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at the Kohl Center on February 01, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1. Michigan State ends two-game skid

A year ago around this time, Michigan State suffered a three-game losing skid. The news of Josh Langford being out for the year really took its toll on the squad but the Spartans didn’t let that turn into an even longer losing streak. Still, during that time, the Spartans lost to teams that they shouldn’t have — and the same has happened this year with Wisconsin and Penn State defeats.

Tom Izzo has to be disappointed with how Michigan State is playing right now, especially since the Spartans are likely the most talented team in the conference but an 8-4 league record is not ideal.

Michigan State knows that it must win on Saturday against the Wolverines if it’s going to make a serious run at the Big Ten title and a loss would hinder the Spartans’ chances.

Cassius Winston is going to step up as a leader along with Xavier Tillman, putting the team back on track with a monster road win against the Wolverines.

This isn’t going to be a walk in the park, though.

Michigan might be getting Isaiah Livers back and Brandon Johns is playing some of the best basketball of his career, but the Spartans’ backs are against the wall and they need this win.

Next. Ranking college football's top 50 fanbases. dark

The game will come down to the wire, but Michigan State wins it, 72-70.

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