Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. Loyola Chicago

Michigan State basketball is gearing up for a huge tournament appearance, kicking things off against Loyola Chicago on Wednesday at noon eastern at the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Loyola is now coached by Drew Valentine, a former Michigan State assistant, and the Ramblers are 4-0 on the season, looking like an under-the-radar team from the mid-major ranks. They have been good for a few years now and that’s not going to change this season.

If Michigan State wants to prove it belongs in the national title conversation this season, it’s going to need a big win over Loyola.

Let’s get bold ahead of the Spartans’ first-round matchup against Loyola Chicago on Wednesday.

3. Marcus Bingham records another double-double

If you’re new here, just know that Spartan Avenue is a Marcus Bingham Jr. fan site. All jokes aside, I do believe that Bingham will have another big game against the Ramblers on Wednesday and even though they have been known to rebound at a high clip this year, they haven’t quite faced anyone like him yet.

Bingham has been on a tear through the first four games of the season, averaging about 12 points and eight rebounds per game to go along with 3.5 blocks. He’s been a monster.

Against Eastern Michigan, he recorded his first career double-double and it’s actually shocking that it took this long for that to happen. I think that’s going to be the first of many this year and he’ll actually pick up another double-double on Wednesday afternoon with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

On top of that, he’s going to block three more shots and add on to a growing total that might be on its way to breaking records this season.