3 bold predictions for Michigan State basketball vs. Oakland at LCA

Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo, right, talks with Jeremy Fears Jr. during the first half against Bowling Green on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, Breslin Center in East Lansing.
Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo, right, talks with Jeremy Fears Jr. during the first half against Bowling Green on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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2. Michigan State shoots 50 percent from deep

If there's one thing that has improved tremendously over the recent hot stretch that was a weakness to start the season, it's been 3-point shooting.

While the 3-point shooting woes were cancelled out due to elite free throw shooting, Michigan State still found it difficult to pull away from teams because it couldn't cash in on the dozens of open shots from deep throughout the first few weeks of the season. That's changed over the past couple of games.

In fact, the Spartans shot 50 percent in Minnesota from deep and then arouns 40 percent in the 37-point win over Nebraska. I think the team gets back to that 50 percent range against Oakland.

Just like last season against Baylor at LCA, the Spartans will get hot from deep and stay hot throughout the game, making 13-of-26 shots from 3-point range. It'll be very clear early on that the team worked on the long-range shooting over the 10-day break.