Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for important Penn State battle

1. The offense finally perks up, MSU wins comfortably

Michigan State hasn’t had many comfortable wins this season and that dates all the way back to non-conference play. Even during a 6-0 start to the year, the Spartans were escaping upsets left and right and it just seemed like they couldn’t put a full game together. That has continued into Big Ten action with the exception of a win over Rutgers, but they’ll finally have another solid showing.

Something that has also been lacking with this team has been offense. Since scoring 84 in a win at Nebraska in early-January, Michigan State has been held under 60 points twice and under 70 points in 5-of-6 games. That’s not a winning strategy.

Scoring hasn’t been an issue for Tom Izzo-coached teams for years, but this team just hasn’t quite grown together on that side of the ball.

Against Penn State, the Spartans are going to find their confidence again, putting up 78 points in a 10-point win. They’ll control the lead from beginning to end and they’ll even extend that lead in the second half to nearly 20 before Penn State makes it interesting.

Nearly a complete, solid game from the Spartans to piece together a winning streak for the first time in a month.