Michigan State Basketball: Staff score predictions vs. No. 13 Ohio State

After getting its doors blown off earlier in the week, Michigan State basketball travels to Columbus to face No. 13 Ohio State. Will this get ugly?

Doubt, uncertainty and pessimism have all crept into the Michigan State program via the fanbase after the last two games from the Spartans.

Losing to Purdue hurt, especially since it was essentially a sure-win thrown away in the second half by poor coaching, but getting dismantled by Rutgers was just heartbreaking. Michigan State looked defeated after falling behind by 15 in the second half and the Scarlet Knights only extended that lead to win by 30.

Michigan State desperately needs a bounce-back win against a ranked opponent and Sunday is the perfect opportunity. But our staff seems to have lost all hope.

Connor Muldowney: This is the first time I can remember that I have next to no faith in a turnaround for a Michigan State basketball team. The Spartans are downright terrible right now and after a demoralizing 30-point loss to Rutgers, it’s time to start thinking about drastic changes. Those changes won’t take effect in a three-day turnaround so I can see Michigan State struggling on Sunday afternoon in Columbus. Ohio State wins this one, but the Spartans cover.

Final Score: Michigan State 65, Ohio State 70

Carter Landis: Michigan State’s offense has completely disappeared, and it would be almost impossible for them to find it on the road against a ranked Ohio State team. No one can shoot, there’s no flow or gameplan to the offense, and they’re turning the ball over at an alarming rate. It would take a miracle for them to perform at an average offensive clip.

Final Score: Michigan State 51, Ohio State 65

Jack Williams: For the first time since very early in Izzo’s tenure, I don’t see any path to victory in this Big Ten game. This team does not have the talent to compete with almost any other squad in this league, and we’ll continue to see that in this game. The only positive takeaway from this will be that MSU won’t get beat nearly as large of a margin as they will at Iowa on Tuesday.

Final Score: Michigan State 50, Ohio State 68

Conner Linsner: Michigan State put up 37 points at Rutgers on Thursday and put up one of the absolute worst performances I have ever seen in my life. Now they have to take on one of the top teams in the conference in Ohio State and I don’t see the tunnel getting much brighter. Now, to be fair Michigan State did have some rust from a COVID-19 hiatus. But at the end of the day shooting 29 percent from the field and having 19 turnovers will never will you a game. On Sunday I would expect those numbers to be better, but will it be enough? The Spartans end up keeping it close early but Ohio State takes off in the second half.

Final Score: Michigan State 65, Ohio State 77

Stephen Robb: Unfortunately the road does not get any easier as the Spartans take on OSU. MSU was rusty to start against Rutgers but there was no excuse for their second half poor performance. Historically, MSU plays its best basketball on Sundays. However they are running into a hot team in the Buckeyes. MSU has no identity and with this quick turn around I can’t see them winning. Not to sound like Graham Couch, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Spartans pull off a miracle.

Final Score: Michigan State 65, Ohio State 80