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Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. struggling Penn State

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 12: Malik Hall #25 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half at Breslin Center on February 12, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 12: Malik Hall #25 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half at Breslin Center on February 12, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball is hitting the road to take on a struggling Penn State team on Tuesday night and it’s time to get bold.

Beating a team twice in a season isn’t easy and Michigan State basketball has found that out the hard way, struggling in the second meetings with Minnesota, Northwestern, and Wisconsin.

On Tuesday night, the Spartans will have a chance to buck that trend and take care of a struggling Penn State team at the Bryce Jordan Center in Happy Valley. A win would give the Spartans their 10th in conference play and 19th on the season. A loss would be detrimental to Big Ten title hopes. Michigan State won the first matchup in East Lansing by 16.

Let’s get bold ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup in Happy Valley.

3. MSU will have fewer than 10 turnovers

Tom Izzo has been harping on turnovers and toughness for weeks and while one was addressed on Saturday against Indiana, the other still remains a problem.

With one problem seemingly addressed, I think the Spartans will figure the other one out against Penn State which has the 54th-ranked defensive efficiency, according to KenPom. The Spartans will protect the ball at all costs and that starts with AJ Hoggard remaining in the starting lineup. If he starts again, I think the Spartans will be safer with the ball.

Also, we need to see Max Christie make smarter passes and not play as timid as he has been as well as Marcus Bingham flexing some muscle in the post to avoid sloppy turnovers.

Michigan State will shock everyone and finish the game with fewer than 10.

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