Michigan State is preparing for its biggest game of the season, preparing to face UConn for the first time since 2021-22 when the Spartans beat the Huskies in the Bahamas.
This is the first NCAA Tournament matchup between the two programs since 2013-14 and Michigan State fans remember that matchup all too well. That’s when Shabazz Napier and the Huskies upset the Spartans who were one of the top national title favorites in the Elite Eight.
It’s time for some revenge.
Let’s get bold ahead of a huge Sweet 16 matchup.
1. Jeremy Fears Jr. pulls a Trey Augustine
In case this is a little confusing to you, this essentially just means that Jeremy Fears Jr. is going to have one of his best games of the season against UConn. Augustine just saved 41 shots in a first-round NCAA Tournament win over UConn, and Fears is going to have a similar effect on the team on Friday evening.
Fears will finish with a second straight double-double, scoring 21 points with 13 assists, putting the team on his back in the Sweet 16 against a team that not many are picking the Spartans to beat.
Fears is going to do his best Augustine impression vs. UConn.
2. Trey Fort scores 10-plus again
If you’ve followed my bold predictions this season, you’d know that I’m a firm believer in Trey Fort. The senior transfer from Samford has always had a scoring touch, but his defense has prevented him from seeing the floor as much as he probably should. He has come on strong in the NCAA Tournament, however.
Fort scored seven points in the first round against North Dakota State, and then dropped 12 in the second round against Louisville to help the Spartans reach the Sweet 16.
For the first time this season, Fort’s going to piece together back-to-back double-digit scoring performances. Fort finishes with 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting.
3. MSU advances to a second straight Elite Eight
When Michigan State and UConn met in the preseason, the Huskies were the more aggressive, tough, and well-balanced team that just looked far more put-together than the Spartans.
Michigan State is going to prove just how far it’s come in the Sweet 16, winning the rebounding battle — which it lost in the October exhibition — and controlling the pace. The Spartans will get out and run early and often and the Huskies will have a tough time keeping up.
For the first time since 2009 when Durrell Summers nearly tore the roof off of Ford Field with one dunk, MIchigan State is going to beat UConn in the NCAA Tournament.