3 bold predictions for Michigan State basketball vs. Niagara

Michigan State basketball opened the season with a strong 81-57 win over Monmouth in what looked to be a shaky performance up until about 10 minutes remaining in the game. The Spartans had their lead dwindled down to six points before going on a tear in the final 10 minutes of the game to win by 24.

Now, they'll host a 1-0 Niagara team that dropped 100 points in its season-opening win over Houghton. That game wasn't much of a contest given the opponent, but Niagara still shot the ball well and did the right things in every facet. It won't be a pushover for the Spartans.

Michigan State is a heavy 29.5-point favorite heading into the game but this won't be a walk in the park because the Spartans have a lot of work to do after the opener and before Tuesday's Champions Classic matchup against the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks.

Let's get bold ahead of Thursday's showdown in East Lansing.

1. Jaxon Kohler secures a double-double

I feel like I've been beating a dead horse at this point, but Jaxon Kohler is the best center on the team. And while Szymon Zapala was strong in the opener with nine points and eight rebounds, I believe that Kohler has the highest ceiling of any of the centers and could elevate the position for Michigan State.

Kohler was no slouch in the opener himself, grabbing eight rebounds and scoring five points, but he's going to need to do more if he wants to steal that starting job. He'll take a huge step on Thursday.

The junior big man will come off the bench and play about 20 minutes, scoring 12 points with 10 rebounds, pacing all the centers. I think he begins his case for the starting job against Niagara.

2. Xavier Booker bounces back in big way

Underwhelming was a common word used to describe Xavier Booker's performance in the season opener, but the sophomore big man is going to have himself a heck of a bounce-back game.

Booker scored just four points with two rebounds and a block in 19 minutes on Monday, but those numbers are going to balloon on Thursday to 15 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks on Thursday night against Niagara. I wouldn't even be shocked if he dropped 20 points but he's going to be more active on both ends and he'll silence the critics.

3. Tre Holloman scores 10-plus off the bench

The season opener was one in which Tre Holloman wishes he could forget. He played just 11 minutes and had five fouls, zero points, two assists, and a rebound. He was 0-for-3 from the field and just didn't have much of an effect on the game. That's not in character for him.

We'll see him bounce back off the bench on Thursday night with 13 points on three big threes with five assists and a turnover. He'll also be active on the defensive end with two steals and three boards.

Holloman may not have looked it against Monmouth, but he's a massive piece to the puzzle this season.