Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for quarterfinal matchup vs. Wisconsin

Michigan State basketball is getting another shot at Wisconsin on Friday night in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. Will the Spartans exact revenge?

The Big Ten Tournament’s first two days were filled with massive comebacks and shocking upsets. Michigan State basketball was able to avoid that fate, holding off a furious comeback by Maryland late in the second half.

In the final three minutes of the game, Michigan State saw its 12-point lead melt down to just two thanks to seven turnovers and an inability to break the press. It was almost a disaster.

Michigan saw a 17-point lead evaporate in the first game on Thursday against Indiana as the Hoosiers stormed back to win by six and potentially knock the Wolverines from “safely in” the NCAA Tournament to on the bubble again. Later in the day, Ohio State was shocked by Penn State after holding a comfortable lead.

Michigan State survived and advanced, winning its second straight game for the first time since late January and early February to advance to Friday’s quarterfinal against No. 12 Wisconsin.

Will the Spartans pull off an upset of Wisconsin on Friday?

3. Michigan State stays hot from deep

Michigan State has shot at least 39 percent from deep over the past three games and that’s going to continue on Friday night with another sparkling 3-point performance.

The Spartans shot 50 percent from deep against Ohio State, 39 percent against Maryland on Senior Day, and 47 percent from 3-point range against Maryland in the first Big Ten Tournament matchup. Over this three-game span, Michigan State is shooting 45 percent from long-range which is a good sign heading into the NCAA Tournament.

In the first meeting against Wisconsin in Madison a couple of months ago, Michigan State shot 50 percent from deep but only shot 21 percent in the last matchup in East Lansing.

Michigan State stays hot and shoots at least 45 percent from deep.