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Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for rematch with No. 2 Michigan

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 4, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Aaron Henry (0) dribbles while pressured by Michigan Wolverines guard Franz Wagner (21) in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Aaron Henry (0) dribbles while pressured by Michigan Wolverines guard Franz Wagner (21) in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball gets another crack at Michigan after losing by 19 points at Crisler Arena. Will the Spartans exact revenge to close out the season?

Thursday’s matchup with No. 2 Michigan in Ann Arbor didn’t exactly go as Tom Izzo had hoped. He was hoping to spoil the Wolverines’ chances of winning the conference title and head into Sunday’s rematch with some momentum. Unfortunately, the Spartans were spanked 69-50 and look like a team with its back to the wall, in need of a big win to get into the tourney.

Beating Michigan on Sunday would likely guarantee the Spartans a spot in the Big Dance but a loss would almost surely mean that Michigan State will need to win at least one in the Big Ten Tournament.

Izzo knows that this is as close to a must-win as there is and the Spartans need a better finish to the first half and to actually show up in the final 20 minutes if it wants a chance here.

Will the Spartans exact some revenge?

3. MSU shoots over 50 percent from deep

Michigan State made a big, fat zero 3-pointers on Thursday night on nine attempts which really stymied the Spartans’ momentum.

From Aaron Henry to Gabe Brown to Joey Hauser, the Spartans couldn’t get anything going from long-range. Not even Joshua Langford could make a shot from deep.

On the other hand, Michigan was 7-for-16 from 3-point range which allowed the Wolverines to really bury the Spartans. The script needs to be flipped on Sunday evening in East Lansing. Obviously holding Michigan to no threes isn’t realistic, but hitting around 50 percent from deep needs to happen if the Spartans want a chance.

Brown, Langford and Hauser all step up and Rocket Watts even surprises here as the Spartans make 50 percent of their shots from deep.

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