Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for rematch with Wisconsin

Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for rematch with No. 14 Wisconsin

MADISON, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 21: Joey Hauser #10 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots a jump shot during the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on January 21, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. Spartans defeated the Badgers 86-74. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

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MADISON, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 21: A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket during the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on January 21, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. Spartans defeated the Badgers 86-74. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

1. Michigan State leads the entire way

After losing a disappointing game at Rutgers on Saturday, Michigan State is hungry for a bounce-back, and it’ll be led by veterans Gabe Brown and Joey Hauser.

Malik Hall, Max Christie, and Marcus Bingham Jr. will also play well as the Spartans will control the game from start to finish, jumping out to a comfortable lead and then winning by 8-10 points. The Spartans will avoid the dreaded slow start that has plagued them for weeks and they’ll punch first against the Badgers.

Expect Wisconsin to counter with some punches of their own, climbing back into the game and making things interesting before halftime, but Tom Izzo will have the right adjustments drawn up for the Spartans to pick up a big win.

Beating a team twice in the same season is never easy, especially when that team is ranked in the top-15 like Wisconsin.

Michigan State won the first battle by controlling the entire 40 minutes and I expect more of the same here even though the Badgers won’t go down without a fight.

Next. MSU's 2022 recruiting class superlatives. dark

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