Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for 2021-22 season

1. MSU finishes top three in the Big Ten, makes Elite Eight

When I looked at Michigan State’s Big Ten schedule, it’s honestly somewhat favorable. The Spartans only get Ohio State once (away) and Purdue once (home). Not having to travel to Mackey Arena is a massive win because Michigan State has been awful there over the years.

There’s a decent chance the Spartans begin Big Ten play 4-0 before traveling to Ann Arbor to face Michigan. That may very well be a loss, but the Spartans will bounce back for a couple of wins in a row to improve to 6-1 on the Big Ten season.

After that, they’ll travel to Madison for a tough game against the pesky Badgers which I see resulting in a loss. It’ll become two in a row as Michigan State gets Illinois in Champaign before going back home to face Michigan. It could easily become a three-game losing streak, but I see Michigan State exacting some revenge on the Wolverines here.

The Spartans will win six of the next seven games and then go 2-2 in the final four games against all ranked teams, potentially. A 14-6 record in conference play will be good enough for a top-three finish.

After finishing top three in the Big Ten and recording over 20 regular-season wins, the Spartans will get a 3-seed or 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament and they’ll make a run to the Elite Eight.

Is a Final Four possible? Yes, but I think this team has a lot to prove before that can even be brought up. But I’m predicting an Elite Eight run.