3 bold predictions for Michigan State vs. No. 1 Kansas in the Champions Classic
The annual Champions Classic is one of the best early-season events in college basketball and the Spartans are fortunate enough to be one of the four teams competing in it every year. Michigan State basketball is looking to prove that its impressive start to the season isn't just because of the easy two-game stretch but because it is that good.
The Spartans have two blowout wins over Niagara and Monmouth and while the offense hasn't played all that well yet, they're still scoring nearly 90 points per game.
Let's hope the offense actually shoots the ball well from distance on Tuesday night.
Without further ado, let's dive into three of my boldest predictions for the big game.
1. Xavier Booker has first breakout game of the year
It has been as close to a nightmare start to the season as it gets for sophomore sensation Xavier Booker. He was expected to take a huge leap this season but he's struggled through two games on the offensive end, scoring just 11 total points and he's shooting a paltry 29 percent from the field.
On top of that, he has just seven total rebounds and a block through 38 minutes of play. That's not going to cut it if Michigan State plans to do big things this season.
Well, we're finally going to get a breakout performance from him on Tuesday night as he drops 17 points with eight rebounds and two blocks. He'll put on a show on the national stage and show everyone just why he was once a projected one-and-done big man.
2. Jase Richardson scores in double figures again
Not many freshmen have looked as good as Jase Richardson through the first two games of their Spartan careers, but Tom Izzo got lucky with this one.
The son of Spartan legend Jason Richardson has scored in double figures in each of his first two games and he's going to make that three on Tuesday night in the biggest game of his young career. He'll score a career-best 13 points with three assists and a steal and he'll hit one of the biggest shots of the night from 3-point range late in the second half.
3. Michigan State pulls off the upset
This year's Michigan State basketball team just has that feel of a "better than advertised" Izzo squad that we've seen make noise in years past. This team is the exact opposite of last year's preseason top-five squad.
And we'll see just how different they are from last year's team on Tuesday night as the Spartans upset the No. 1 team in the nation that hasn't quite gotten the production it's hoped for from AJ Storr.
Michigan State will showcase its depth and it'll start making shots from deep en route to the biggest Izzo win in years. This will get fans believing in the Spartans again and the doubt surrounding Izzo will disappear.
Spartans win 78-75.