Michigan State basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. No. 9 Purdue in semifinals

Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. No. 9 Purdue in BTT semifinals

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 11: (L-R) Tyson Walker #2, Max Christie #5, A.J. Hoggard #11, Malik Hall #25, and Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans walk up the court during the second half of a Men's Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Michigan State Spartans won the game 69-63. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

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Mar 11, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) applauds the fans in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Marcus Bingham Jr. has another double-double

Over the past four games, Marcus Bingham Jr. has returned to form from earlier in the season before he caught COVID. He’s averaging 12.8 points and eight rebounds per game during that stretch and he’s fresh off a career game against Wisconsin in which he finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks.

Simply put, Bingham was the difference against the Badgers.

Tom Izzo and the coaching staff challenged him to bring the energy in the second half to lead the Spartans to a huge quarterfinal win over the Badgers and he answered the call. He came up huge down the stretch and tied his career-high in points and had his second double-double in three games. He’ll record his third in four games against Purdue on Saturday.

It’s not going to be easy since the Boilermakers are huge in the post with Trevion Williams and Zach Edey, but he’ll step up yet again with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Michigan State is 5-0 this season when he records a double-double. Will that become 6-0?

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