Michigan State basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. Butler in Gavitt Games

1. Michigan State holds Butler under 70 points in a win

Is this really that bold of a prediction? Well, if you look at how hot Butler’s offense has been through the first three games, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’.

In fact, Butler is averaging nearly 90 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor. The offense has been lighting up the scoreboard this season. But Michigan State’s defense isn’t exactly a pushover. The Spartans may be allowing 68 points per game, but they’ve played two teams currently in the AP Top 25 and they did allow just 31 first-half points to the No. 9 team in the country.

Michigan State’s defense in the first half against Duke was incredible. Heck, for the first 15 minutes of that game, it was the best it’s been in years.

I expect that to continue on Friday night.

Michigan State’s defense will come out hungry and it’ll shut down the Bulldogs not named Pierre Brooks en route to a comfortable win. It’ll be close for a half, but the Spartans will pull away and hold Butler under 70 points for the first time this season.