Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for Rutgers rematch

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State forward Aaron Henry (0) dribbles against Rutgers guard Geo Baker (0) during the first half at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich., Tuesday Jan. 5, 2021.
Michigan State forward Aaron Henry (0) dribbles against Rutgers guard Geo Baker (0) during the first half at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich., Tuesday Jan. 5, 2021. /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Jan 8, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) high fives forward Aaron Henry (0) during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) high fives forward Aaron Henry (0) during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Michigan State gets off to hot start, cruises to win

An unfortunate theme for Michigan State basketball over the past couple of years has been slow starts. It’s almost ridiculous the amount of times Michigan State has gotten off to a slow start, had to climb its way back into a game only to lose in heartbreaking fashion.

However, last year, the Spartans ended that string of slow starts on the road in February against Illinois and that led to an incredible run and another Big Ten title.

This year, they could see the same thing happen. While I don’t see a Big Ten title in this team’s future, I could definitely see them use a quick start on the road against a decent team in the middle of conference play as a momentum-builder. This could help turn the season around after a horrid start to Big Ten play.

Aaron Henry is going to get hot early and do whatever he wants against the Rutgers defense like he did a few weeks ago and he’ll finish with 20-plus points. Rocket Watts will also get hot because, well, Tom Izzo needs him to. And Joey Hauser will have a double-double while the freshmen — AJ Hoggard and Mady Sissoko — have huge impacts on both ends.

Michigan State races out to a comfortable lead and then cruises with a big road win.

dark. Next. Way-too-early depth chart projection for 2021

Home/Spartans Basketball