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Michigan State Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for 2020-21 season

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 3, 2019; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) gestures during the first half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils at Breslin Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2019; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) gestures during the first half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils at Breslin Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State’s Rocket Watts, right, guards DukeÕs Tre Jones during the second half on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The Spartans lost to the Blue Devils 87-85. 191203 Msu Duke 210a
Michigan State’s Rocket Watts, right, guards DukeÕs Tre Jones during the second half on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The Spartans lost to the Blue Devils 87-85. 191203 Msu Duke 210a /

The first game of the season can sometimes be a little shaky, especially this time around with no exhibition games to warm up with. But Eastern Michigan wasn’t that great a season ago, finishing 16-16 and just 6-12 in MAC play. Michigan State beat Eastern 101-48 last season and it won’t be that ugly this time around, but it won’t be close.

Final Score: Eastern Michigan 56, Michigan State 84 (1-0)

Michigan State is the first game of the season for Notre Dame and while the Irish are usually solid in the ACC, they haven’t been on a top-tier level in a couple of years. The Irish lose their top two scorers from a season ago but return a couple of guys who averaged over 10 points per game. This one could be close throughout, but I expect an MSU win.

Final Score: Notre Dame 64, Michigan State 74 (2-0)

It’s that team again. Michigan State drew Duke in the Champions Classic this year and while Kentucky and Kansas will be playing in a neutral location, the Spartans and Blue Devils agreed to play at Cameron Indoor. The Blue Devils and Coach K have Tom Izzo’s number and even though Duke won’t quite be as good as it was last season, in my opinion, it will be a tough matchup for MSU.

Final Score: Michigan State 72, Duke 75 (2-1)

After their first loss of the season, the Spartans will host Detroit Mercy with a chance to bounce back. While the Titans have one of the top scorers in the country in Antoine Davis. He won’t be enough as the rest of the Titans just don’t match up well with the Spartans.

Final Score: Detroit Mercy 51, Michigan State 88 (3-1)

Like Eastern Michigan, Western finished 6-12 in conference play a season ago and won’t be much of a threat to the Spartans here. Also like the Eagles, the Broncos were blown out by the Spartans in East Lansing, 95-62. This game will be slightly closer, but Michigan State wins comfortably.

Final Score: Western Michigan 58, Michigan State 79 (4-1)

Gone are Mamadi Diakite and Braxton Key, but the Cavaliers should still be one of the best teams in the country, ranked No. 4 to start the season. But this game is a little personal for Joey Hauser as his brother Sam is on Virginia. This will be a low-scoring team and MSU usually has Tony Bennett’s number, but the Spartans will struggle offensively.

Final Score: Michigan State 58, Virginia 62 (4-2)

Following their second loss of the season against a top ACC team, Michigan State will head back home to face Oakland and while the Grizzlies usually give the Spartans a decent fight, the Spartans win this one rather easily.

Final Score: Oakland 52, Michigan State 70 (5-2)

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