Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for rematch with Indiana

Michigan State basketball is facing its most important game of the season against Indiana, needing a win. Will the Spartans notch a big one?

March is finally here and this season has a different feeling than most in the Tom Izzo era. Michigan State is squarely on the bubble and no one really knows what side the Spartans will end up on. A win over Indiana on Tuesday night would go a long way to securing a tourney berth.

The Hoosiers, however, are also in need of a win. They are 12-12 and losers of three straight games and four out of five. A win for them would be gigantic.

Both teams are hungry for a win and one is trending in the wrong direction, but as we’ve seen in this matchup over the past few years, that doesn’t necessarily matter.

Will the Spartans complete the season sweep?

3. Marcus Bingham Jr. holds Trayce Jackson-Davis in check

In the first meeting a couple of week ago, Trayce Jackson-Davis had 34 points, shooting 11-for-19 from the floor and 12-of-16 from the free throw line. He did basically whatever he wanted against Michigan State’s bigs which had been a theme for all opposing bigs throughout the season.

The second half wasn’t quite as successful for TJD and Marcus Bingham Jr. played a little better in the final 20 minutes, but allowing 30-plus points to him on Tuesday is going to spell a loss for MSU.

Fortunately, Bingham Jr. will get some extra playing time and he’s going to fare well against Jackson-Davis, holding him under his season average to around 14-15 points. He won’t be able to score at will like he did in the first meeting and Bingham Jr. will even block three big shots.

This defense will give Michigan State a fighting chance on the defensive end against one of the league’s top bigs.