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Michigan State basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. struggling Ohio State team

By Connor Muldowney

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 04: Jaden Akins #3 of the Michigan State Spartans in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a game at Madison Square Garden on February 4, 2023 in New York, New York. Rutgers defeated Michigan State 61-55. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 04: Jaden Akins #3 of the Michigan State Spartans in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a game at Madison Square Garden on February 4, 2023 in New York, New York. Rutgers defeated Michigan State 61-55. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Jan 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Brice Sensabaugh (10) walks on the court during the second half of the men’s NCAA division I basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus DispatchBasketball Ceb Mbk Minnesota Minnesota At Ohio State
Jan 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Brice Sensabaugh (10) walks on the court during the second half of the men’s NCAA division I basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus DispatchBasketball Ceb Mbk Minnesota Minnesota At Ohio State /

2. Michigan State shuts down Brice Sensabaugh

Brice Sensabaugh will likely be matched up with Malik Hall and Joey Hauser for most of Saturday’s game and while I like the former matchup much better, I believe the latter will hold its own.

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, Sensabaugh is Ohio State’s best player and one of the most talented freshmen in the nation. He’s averaging nearly 17 points per game for the Buckeyes, shooting 49 percent from the floor and 44 percent from deep. Suffice it to say, he’s a really good basketball player and he’ll be a pro soon enough.

But on Sunday afternoon, Michigan State will shut him down.

For whatever reason Chris Holtmann has played Sensabaugh fewer than 20 minutes in two of the past three games and while I think he’ll play more than that against the Spartans, he’s going to struggle as confidence may be an issue lately.

In fact, he’s shooting just 10-for-29 from the floor and 3-for-12 from deep over the past three games, and Michigan State will take advantage of this slump and extend it.

Sensabaugh will score just 10 points with four rebounds on 4-for-12 shooting.

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