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Michigan State basketball vs. Niagara: Game preview and prediction

Can the Spartans start the season 2-0?

By Brandon Martinez

Nov 4, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jaden Akins (3) puts up a reverse layup against Monmouth Hawks guard Abdi Bashir Jr. (1) during the second half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
Nov 4, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jaden Akins (3) puts up a reverse layup against Monmouth Hawks guard Abdi Bashir Jr. (1) during the second half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images / Dale Young-Imagn Images
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Your Michigan State basketball squad got off to an ideal start to the season with an 81-57 dismantling of Monmouth on Monday.

Senior guard Jaden Akins was the star of opening night, logging 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting, nine rebounds, five assists, and was a force on defense with two steals and two blocks as well.

In Jeremy Fears' return to the floor since his freshman season was cut short last year after being shot in the leg, he was the floor general as advertised, ending the game with eight assists. He was timid as a scorer, however, having just three points on two attempted shots. Newcomers Szymon Zapala and Frankie Fidler both had solid starts to their MSU careers, recording nine points each, with a combined 6-for-12 shooting. Zapala also logged eight rebounds and three blocks in his debut.

To keep the positives rolling, freshman Jase Richardson's name was called, and he answered with 10 points, two rebounds, four assists, and a steal, shooting 80 percent from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line in 22 minutes. Izzo saw contributions on the scoreboard from 10 of the 13 players that saw the floor, with two scoring in double figures and three others just one point shy of the mark.

More positives could be said of other players, but it wasn't all perfect. Team shooting behind the arc was abysmal, going 3-for-18 (17 percent) as a group, along with another disappointing free throw shooting performance, going 67 percent at the charity stripe. In terms of individual performances, sophomore big man Xavier Booker had a rough go of it, only logging four points and two rebounds on 2-for-10 shooting. He was 0-for-4 from behind the arc. Fidler also only shot 2-for-7 in the game, and junior guard Tre Holloman was 0-for-3 on the night.

Overall, it was a great start to the season for Izzo's squad, but now they look forward to tonight's matchup against a 1-0 Niagara team, who took care of business with a 35-point win over Houghton on Monday.

Preview, prediction for Michigan State basketball vs. Niagara

To preface, this is not a game Michigan State should lose, despite Niagara's great victory to begin the season. Yes, they are a Division 1 opponent, but being from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, there is a considerable talent gap in favor of the Spartans.

From a spread perspective, Sparty is favored by 28.5 points, if that tells you anything.

However, this is the time a team like Niagara can pick up a huge win or at least be competitve.

First week of the season, teams are still figuring out who they are and how to play together, this Michigan State starting lineup is essentially brand new with the exception of Jaden Akins, if there is any time a team like Niagara can make things difficult, now is the time.

While the starting lineup is essentially new for the Spartans, the Purple Eagles' entire roster is almost brand new. They got off to a blazing start together with their leading scorer being sophomore guard Jahari Williamson with 16 points and six others also scoring in double-figures.

The Purple Eagles primarily ran a small ball lineup to start the year, with their center being listed at 6-foot-11 and nobody else in the starting rotation being taller than 6-foot-6. This can be a big way MSU could exploit Niagara's lineup, so expect the paint to be of emphasis on offense, at least early on.

Looking into my crystal ball for tonight's game, I cannot see many ways Niagara upsets the Spartans without Michigan State shooting itself in the foot. Sloppiness and inefficiency would be the way this game stays close, paired with Niagara taking advantage of turnovers by the Spartans. Even when this does happen in games like this, MSU often tightens up down the stretch and ends up putting opponents away in the end.

I expect somewhere in between a blowout and what I just described. One where Michigan State wins handily, but not without a bit of chewing from Tom Izzo due to some sloppiness and getting away from feeding the post.

Final score: Niagara 65, Michigan State 81

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