It’s been just a few weeks, but Michigan State will get another matchup with Xavier Booker on Friday night in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals after UCLA beat Rutgers.
Honestly, Michigan State was probably thrilled to see UCLA beat Rutgers because the Scarlet Knights have had the Spartans’ number this season for some reason. They took Michigan State to overtime in Piscataway and scored 21 points in 1:45 in East Lansing to nearly pull off a shocking comeback.
Michigan State beat UCLA by 23 a few weeks ago and the Spartans seemed to match up favorably with the Bruins.
Let’s get bold ahead of Friday’s Big Ten tourney rematch.
1. Two bench players score 10-plus
The bench was pretty quiet last game against Michigan, and it’s been quiet ever since it was trimmed down weeks ago. The Spartans really only play 2-3 guys off the bench regularly, but there are options for fourth and fifth guys. They usually utilize Cam Ward, Kur Teng, and Denham Wojcik, but Trey Fort and Jesse McCulloch can provide some scoring, too.
I think we’re going to see a couple of bench players score in double figures on Friday night which is rare for the green and white. It’s usually only one guy off the bench who scores at least 10, but it’ll be two against UCLA.
Teng is my one pick, and the other will be between Ward and Fort. I’m leaning Ward.
2. MSU shoots over 50 percent from 3
The last time Michigan State was truly “red-hot” from 3-point range was a few weeks ago back in East Lansing against UCLA. The Bruins couldn’t seem to defend the 3-point line as Michigan State made 14-of-27 from deep to bury UCLA by 23.
Michigan State is going to have a repeat of that shooting performance on Friday night. Guys like Jeremy Fears, Teng, Jordan Scott, and Jaxon Kohler will get hot from deep early and often.
I’m going with an 11-for-20 shooting performance from deep for the Spartans.
3. MSU holds UCLA under 60 again
Michigan State’s defense hasn’t exactly locked things down lately, although I will give it a pass for that Rutgers game because they had an 81-66 lead with under two minutes left and then the trio of Fort, Wojcik, and Nick Sanders couldn’t seem to inbound the ball or defend as the Scarlet Knights score 21 points in 1:45.
The Spartans have held just two teams under 70 over the past five games, and I think that becomes three on Friday — and then some.
The last team that Michigan State held under 60 was UCLA and that’s going to happen again as the Spartans’ defense suffocates Mick Cronin’s Bruins.
Michigan State wins 70-59.