Michigan State basketball: 5 bold predictions for February 2023

Michigan State basketball is entering a crucial stretch in the final month of the regular season with eight games on the schedule.

And luckily for the Spartans, the toughest stretch of the season is already behind them.

The Spartans are looking like one of those fringe teams that could either be a top-six seed in the NCAA Tournament or somewhere in the 10/11 range. The most likely scenario is somewhere in between as a 7-10 seed. But they have to make the tournament first.

The month of February is incredibly important.

Here’s what I think will happen for the Spartans this month.

5. Jaden Akins averages close to 15 points per game

Through the first three months of the year, Jaden Akins is averaging 9.0 points per game while shooting around 41 percent from the floor and 44 percent from deep.

But he’s been getting even better in recent weeks.

In fact, Akins is averaging 12.5 points per game over the last five and he’s made 9-of-16 shots from 3-point range. He’s also averaging nearly four rebounds per game so he’s a threat on both ends. He can get out and run, too, after making a huge stop defensively. Opposing defenses have a tough time matching up with Akins.

And with the schedule getting a little lighter this month, I could see him averaging nearly 15 points per game in February.