Michigan State basketball: 3 reasons Spartans will beat Villanova

Nov 15, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) guards Kentucky Wildcats guard Cason Wallace (22) during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Spartans defeat the Wildcats 86 to 77 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

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For the third time in this extremely early Michigan State basketball season, Tom Izzo’s team will get a chance to prove itself as one of the best teams in the country.

The Spartans nearly passed the test against Gonzaga before acing another test against Kentucky. With two top-five teams already in the rearview mirror, they’ll take on a Villanova team that began the season ranked before losing to Temple on the road.

Michigan State will get the Wildcats at the Breslin Center and here’s why I think the Spartans will hand them their second loss of the season.

3. Mady Sissoko is already seasoned

It only took three games to get Mady Sissoko the experience he needed to carry him throughout the 2022-23 season as the starting center for the Spartans. He’s faced two All-Americans and has arguably outplayed each one.

Mady held his own against Drew Timme and then followed that up with a career game against Oscar Tshiebwe and Kentucky. Villanova’s bigs will have a tough time with him.

Sissoko’s defense in the post has been really good this year and that’ll continue on Friday night and he’ll even score 10-plus points again as the subject of a handful of alley-oops and thunderous dunks on drives-and-dishes by Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard.

Worried about Sissoko being ready to face another top-tier team? You shouldn’t be.

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