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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’s Max Christie shoots a free throw after an Indiana technical foul during the second half on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220212 Msu Indiana Bball 176a
Michigan State’s Max Christie shoots a free throw after an Indiana technical foul during the second half on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220212 Msu Indiana Bball 176a /

2. Max Christie will lead the Spartans in scoring

Max Christie has been struggling mightily in recent weeks. Ever since he was red-hot at the start of the new year, he’s been ice-cold over the past month. In fact, he’s scored in double figures just one time over the past six games and just twice since Jan. 12. That’s what Tom Izzo referred to as “hitting the freshman wall” which happens at this time every year with young guys.

But we know he has the potential to get hot at any moment and drop 15-20 points. He’s going to snap out of his weeks-long slump against the Nittany Lions and lead the Spartans in scoring.

In the first matchup against Penn State back in December, he scored just seven points on 2-for-7 shooting in 25 minutes. It wasn’t his best game, but he was still getting used to the college game and it was only his second Big Ten contest ever.

Now, 13 games into Big Ten action, he’s going to start getting that confidence back. The game will slow down for him on Tuesday night and he’ll take some good shots instead of forcing things.

Christie will score 17 points with three 3-pointers which will be the most he’s scored since Jan. 5 against Nebraska. It’s time for him to win some more Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards.

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