Michigan State Basketball: 3 reasons Spartans will upset No. 8 Wisconsin

Michigan State basketball travels to the Kohl Center for a top-15 battle on Friday night. Here’s why the Spartans will pull off the upset of Wisconsin.

We’re at the point in the season in which Michigan State basketball usually suffers a rough stretch which results in a losing streak or just lackluster play overall. After losing to Northwestern, snapping a nine-game winning streak, and playing sloppy basketball since Christmas break, Michigan State looks to be staring a losing streak right in the face.

The schedule doesn’t do these Spartans any favors over the next couple of weeks as Michigan State will travel to Madison on Friday night to take on No. 8 Wisconsin and then hit the road again next week to take on Illinois before a rivalry game against Michigan.

Michigan State could use Friday night’s battle at Wisconsin as a huge momentum shifter back in the right direction or it could snowball into a rough stretch.

Here’s why I believe Michigan State will do the former and upset the No. 8 team in the land.

3. Rebounding will be a strength

For the past few games, Michigan State has struggled tremendously on the glass. Why? Who’s to say, but a lot of it feels like an effort thing. Michigan State’s guards have not been boxing out shooters and perimeter players crashing the paint for longer rebounds and that’s led to some ugly performances as a team.

In three straight games, Michigan State has surrendered at least 10 offensive rebounds, including a whopping 17 against Northwestern in that home upset loss last week.

That won’t happen on Friday night.

Wisconsin isn’t exactly known for being an elite rebounding team and I think the Spartans worked on this all week in practice so I fully expect them to come out more aggressive on the glass and keep the Badgers away from the offensive boards and second-chance points.