Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for January 2022

Dec 21, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) guard Max Christie (5) forward Malik Hall (25) and forward Gabe Brown (44) walk to the bench during the second half against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) guard Max Christie (5) forward Malik Hall (25) and forward Gabe Brown (44) walk to the bench during the second half against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 7, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) shoots as Michigan State Spartans center Mady Sissoko (22) defends during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) shoots as Michigan State Spartans center Mady Sissoko (22) defends during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

1. Michigan State sweeps Michigan

Last season, Michigan State had one of its worst teams in the Tom Izzo era. Michigan had one of its best teams in years. The end result between the two teams? A regular-season split.

Michigan State won in East Lansing to end the season after losing in Ann Arbor by a wide margin. But the fact that Michigan State was able to split during such a poor season shows that Tom Izzo can out-coach just about anyone when he truly wants to.

Heading to Ann Arbor after starting Big Ten play 4-0 will give this team some confidence and you just know Michigan State wants revenge for last season’s thrashing at Crisler Center. If this team continues to shoot well and Michigan’s shooting woes aren’t fixed in the opening week of January, the Spartans will go into Ann Arbor and steal a win.

After beating Michigan, the Spartans will win three of the next four games before facing the Wolverines again in East Lansing. They’ll take care of Michigan again.

Michigan State will get a rare sweep of Michigan this season because the Wolverines have not figured out their identity yet.