3 bold predictions for Michigan State vs. North Carolina in Maui

For a third straight day, Michigan State basketball will take the floor in Maui as the Spartans earned a spot in the third-place game on Wednesday night.

Unfortunately, losing to Memphis in the semifinals means that Michigan State will be tasked with facing a North Carolina team that knocked them out of the NCAA Tournament a year ago. While the Tar Heels are ranked No. 12 and look to be solid this year, I don't think they're head and shoulders above the Spartans right now.

Still, this is going to be the second-toughest matchup for Michigan State this season -- although Memphis did put a complete 40-minute game together against the Spartans.

Here are my boldest predictions for the big game.

1. Jaxon Kohler finally gets back on track with a double-double

I haven't predicted a Jaxon Kohler double-double in a couple of weeks, I feel, and it just seems like he's due at this point. He was close on Tuesday despite not playing well, scoring seven with eight rebounds in 28 minutes. Kohler will improve on all of those numbers on Wednesday.

Kohler will score 13 with 10 rebounds and a block in a big performance against one of the best teams in the country and while he hasn't been looking for his own shot lately, he'll show off those post moves against the Tar Heels.

2. Frankie Fidler time

You just know that Frankie Fidler has been feeling the pressure from the fanbase who expected him to come in and replicate what he did at Omaha last season. But that hasn't been the case so far.

Fidler has been consistent, scoring at least nine in every single game as a Spartan so far, but he has yet to truly break out. His best performance was a 15-point showing against Kansas, but eight of those points came from the free throw line. He needs to be much better from the floor.

The Omaha transfer was just 3-for-10 from the floor on Tuesday against Memphis with 10 points but he'll have a much better performance against North Carolina on Wednesday with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting. It's time for him to play to his potential.

3. The game comes down to the final possession

Michigan State and North Carolina faced each other a year ago and the Spartans built a big lead early before letting the Tar Heels come back and run away with a win.

This game will be much more competitive.

The Spartans will get off to a hot start before North Carolina evens it up before halftime and even takes a small lead. Michigan State and North Carolina will trade blows in the second half and the game will come down to the final possession with the Spartans drawing up a play down by one with 20 seconds left. Unfortunately, the Spartans will fall just short.