Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for Nebraska rematch
![Feb 2, 2021; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo (L) talks to forward Aaron Henry (0) during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports Feb 2, 2021; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo (L) talks to forward Aaron Henry (0) during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e718fcf9df3e429ef7007d82005aefb8140261ddf8550bbc4269db29c5788696.jpg)
Michigan State basketball needs to start a lengthy winning streak if it wants to have any shot at a postseason berth. Will the Spartans start one on Saturday?
There’s a massive 22-year streak on the line which could become a lot clearer on Saturday night. Michigan State has made the NCAA Tournament for 22 straight years, but it’s not looking good for this team in 2020-21 after an 8-7 start, including four straight losses.
Michigan State’s impressive streak is in danger and it will need to start a lengthy winning streak or just play well in the month of February to make some noise come March. The Cornhuskers are Big Ten bottom-dwellers this year, but Michigan State isn’t far behind at 2-7 in conference play.
Will the Spartans finally start a winning streak against Nebraska?
3. Michigan State dominates on the glass
Tom Izzo brought back the war drill at practice last week, he admitted in a press conference, and anyone who has followed the Spartans for the past couple of decades knows that this practice technique has helped toughen past teams and set them apart.
War drills have helped the Spartans dominate on the glass and win tough, physical battles against potentially bigger and stronger Big Ten foes.
Michigan State has been somewhat disappointing on the glass this season and even struggled a bit at Iowa in terms of surrendering offensive boards but they’ll bounce back on Saturday against Nebraska, out-rebounding the Cornhuskers by somewhere between 8-12.
If Michigan State can win that rebound battle handily, it’ll put the Spartans in a position to pick up an important home win following a four-game skid.