Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for battle at No. 23 Ohio State

Michigan State's Tyson Walker, right, celebrates with Gabe Brown after Walker's 3 pointer against Purdue during the second half on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220226 Msu Purdue 315a
Michigan State's Tyson Walker, right, celebrates with Gabe Brown after Walker's 3 pointer against Purdue during the second half on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220226 Msu Purdue 315a
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Michigan State’s Gabe Brown, right, scores as Michigan’s Caleb Houstan defends during the second half on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.220301 Msu Mich Bball 142a
Michigan State’s Gabe Brown, right, scores as Michigan’s Caleb Houstan defends during the second half on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.220301 Msu Mich Bball 142a

1. MSU avoids ice-cold start but still falls short

I’ll admit it, I’ve been far too optimistic in my bold predictions this season and that’s because I’ve been waiting for the Spartans to break out of their slump and play to their potential.

But it seems like Michigan State is what it is: consistently inconsistent.

What the Spartans have been consistent with, however, is slow starts. That will change on Thursday as they avoid a slow road start which is a rare accomplishment for this team as the two will go back-and-forth throughout the first half.

Ohio State, just like the Spartans, is struggling mightily. The Buckeyes have lost two straight games to Maryland and Nebraska which is pretty much unacceptable for Chris Holtmann’s talented squad. They’ll have a chance to bounce back against the Spartans, but Tom Izzo won’t make it easy.

The Spartans will bring the Buckeyes down to the wire in Columbus with some NCAA Tournament seeding on the line and I think Ohio State gets the last laugh in a one-possession game.

Ohio State wins 70-67.