Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for BTT rematch with Maryland

Feb 28, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Julius Marble II (34) during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Julius Marble II (34) during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 20: Aaron Henry #0 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball during the 78-71 win over the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on February 20, 2021 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 20: Aaron Henry #0 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball during the 78-71 win over the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on February 20, 2021 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

1. MSU gets revenge

Smell that? I smell some revenge cooking.

Revenge was served on Sunday, why not a second helping on Thursday afternoon? It would be quite the run if Michigan State was able to exact revenge on both of the teams that beat the Spartans to end the regular season (Michigan, Maryland).

The Spartans made a quick turnaround and got swift revenge on the Wolverines with a 70-64 upset in East Lansing and Maryland doesn’t quite have the firepower of Michigan.

If Michigan State can defend the perimeter and force guys like Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins inside, the Spartans can and should win this game. Those two guys killed the Spartans in the first matchup and hot shooting from the perimeter really put the game out of reach early on.

None of that here.

Also, no more 12-0 starts (or whatever it was) this time around. Michigan State will come out hungry and rested and play with some energy. This will be a back-and-forth game still, but the Spartans get the last laugh in Indianapolis to earn a rematch with Michigan on Friday.

Final score? Let’s go with 71-66 Michigan State.

Next. Ideal starting 5 for Big Ten Tournament. dark