Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for January 2021

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 06: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30, Gabe Brown #44, A.J. Hoggard #11 and Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate a play in the second half of the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Breslin Center on December 6, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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Jan 2, 2021; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Dalano Banton (45) shoots over Michigan State Spartans forward Malik Hall (25) in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Michigan State allows less than 70 points per game

Through 10 games, Michigan State’s defense has been the biggest letdown of the season. Tom Izzo even stated after a couple of games that the potential of the Spartans’ defense was through the roof and if the team reached it, this could be one of the best defenses he’s ever coached in East Lansing.

Well, that hasn’t come to fruition yet as Michigan State allows 75.6 points per game which is one of the worst marks in the conference and an incredibly frustrating number given the amount of plus perimeter defenders the Spartans have.

Plus, Marcus Bingham Jr. showed flashes early on of being a rim protector and Mady Sissoko has, too, but neither can seem to find the floor for more than a few minutes per game.

With Aaron Henry, Josh Langford and Rocket Watts — and the emergence of AJ Hoggard who had two blocks in his first start at point guard — the Spartans should have the perimeter locked down. Now all they need is some guys to step up down low.

They’ll do that and hold opponents to under 70 points per game, on average, in January.

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