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Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for battle with No. 4 Ohio State

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 23: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket with teammate A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half of the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 23, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 23: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket with teammate A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half of the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 23, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball is coming off a huge win over fifth-ranked Illinois and now it will host No. 4 Ohio State. Is a three-game winning streak on the horizon?

Two straight tests, two straight passing grades. Earlier last week, it seemed like Michigan State’s NCAA Tournament hopes were crushed after losing at Purdue. And then something happened at Indiana and Michigan State pieced together its best half all season, beating the Hoosiers in Bloomington.

Some hope was restored and No. 5 Illinois presented another opportunity for the Spartans to add to that tourney resume and they did just that with an 81-72 win.

Now another top-five team is on its way to East Lansing for a huge Thursday night battle. This game has serious postseason implications. A win and Michigan State moves one step closer to the bubble and a loss makes the remainder of the schedule that much more must-win-filled.

Will the Spartans pull off another upset in East Lansing on Thursday night?

3. Spartans hold EJ Liddell under 15 points

The last time Michigan State and Ohio State met, EJ Liddell went off for 20 points on 50 percent shooting and was a big reason the Buckeyes took care of the Spartans in Columbus.

This time around, Michigan State is going to focus heavily on the sophomore forward.

Hopefully Tom Izzo learned his lesson from the last meeting and matches up better defenders on Liddell like a Malik Hall or Marcus Bingham Jr. or even Mady Sissoko. Heck, Thomas Kithier has been playing much better defense lately and Julius Marble wouldn’t be a terrible matchup. Joey Hauser needs to avoid this matchup like the plague.

Izzo will win another coaching battle here, neutralizing Liddell with good defensive matchups as Michigan State holds him under his season average (15.9 points).

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