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Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for battle at No. 13 Ohio State

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 8, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Rocket Watts (2) during the first half as Purdue Boilermakers guard Jaden Ivey (23) defends at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Rocket Watts (2) during the first half as Purdue Boilermakers guard Jaden Ivey (23) defends at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a demoralizing loss to Rutgers on Thursday night, Michigan State basketball travels to Columbus hoping for better luck against Ohio State.

Tom Izzo has to be disappointed. He has to be disappointed in himself for costing the Spartans a win against Purdue a few weeks ago before a COVID-19-forced hiatus and not having the team ready in the first game back at Rutgers. He also has to be disappointed in his team’s play.

Right now, Michigan State has no leaders stepping up and everyone who was expected to break out this year has struggled significantly — Joey Hauser, Rocket Watts, Marcus Bingham Jr., among others.

On Sunday afternoon, the Spartans will face another tough road battle against Ohio State as the No. 13 Buckeyes stand between Michigan State and a full-fledged plummet.

Will the Spartans shock the Big Ten with a win in Columbus on Sunday?

3. Spartans hold Buckeyes to under 40 percent shooting

If there’s one area where Ohio State has been impressive this season, it’s been shooting the ball. The Buckeyes’ offense has been better than expected, averaging about 77 points per game and shooting just over 45 percent from the floor. On Sunday afternoon, the Spartans’ defense is going to step up and hold the Buckeyes to under 40 percent from the floor.

While that may seem like a winning recipe for the green and white, scoring won’t come easy for the Spartans either.

Ohio State will still approach 40 percent at somewhere around 38-39 percent, but Michigan State’s defense will give it a fighting chance to win this one and that’s really all Tom Izzo can ask after that disastrous Rutgers showing.

The Buckeyes won’t get many open looks all afternoon.

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