3. Michigan State wins by 10-plus
A year ago, Michigan State followed up a 31-point home win in the Izzone Alumni game with a road loss to Northwestern. Like usual, Boo Buie played fairly well and him and Ty Berry combined for 41 points and downed the Spartans (who were on a long winning streak), 88-74.
It feels like this year has a similar recipe for disaster. Michigan State is riding a long winning streak and is coming off a 34-point home win on Izzone Alumni night against Washington.
Tom Izzo is just more motivated this season, it seems, so I don't see history repeating itself.
The Spartans battle back from an early deficit to take a 2-point lead into halftime before coming out hot and hitting a couple of threes in the opening minutes of the second half to take command of the game. From there, it will be a cruise to victory in the final minutes as the Spartans avoid the patended letdown against Northwestern.
Michigan State wins 80-69.