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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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Feb 11, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Rocket Watts (2) celebrates next to Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andres Feliz (10) after making a three point shot during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Rocket Watts (2) celebrates next to Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andres Feliz (10) after making a three point shot during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

This has to be a game that’s been circled on Michigan State’s schedule since last season when the Boilermakers dismantled the Spartans in West Lafayette. The Spartans will get their revenge here as Joey Hauser has himself a game. There will be no 40-year-old looking Boilermaker hitting three after three this time.

Final Score: Purdue 62, Michigan State 74 (11-2, 6-0)

Iowa is currently the favorite to win the Big Ten to start the season and one of the top preseason contenders to win the national title. Fran McCaffery has arguably his best team yet with conference player of the year Luka Garza back and Joe Wieskamp also returning. Iowa just has so much production back and Iowa City is never a fun place to play. Offense will be the name of this game.

Final Score: Michigan State 74, Iowa 82 (11-3, 6-1)

What’s up with Indiana always beating Michigan State as the underdog — at least over the past couple of years. The Hoosiers were 20-12 last season and picked up another surprising win over the Spartans and Michigan State hasn’t forgotten. Tom Izzo and Co. get their revenge here despite Trayce Jackson-Davis returning.

Final Score: Indiana 71, Michigan State 78 (12-3, 7-1)

While Iowa may be the favorite to win the Big Ten this season, I think Michigan State’s biggest target should be Illinois. The Fighting Illini have Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn back while also bringing in the Big Ten’s No. 3 recruiting class, headlined by Adam Miller and Andre Curbelo — two top-50 guards. Michigan State will lose their first home game of the season here in an instant classic.

Final Score: Illinois 75, Michigan State 73 (12-4, 7-2)

Every season, Michigan State seems to have a rough stretch in the middle of conference play where everyone seems to panic and give up on any hope of a conference title. This will be the Spartans’ third loss in four games and there’s going to be plenty of panic around the fanbase. Stay calm, Spartan fans, things will be just fine.

Final Score: Michigan State 68, Rutgers 73 (12-5, 7-3)

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