Michigan State basketball begins its West Coast swing on Saturday with a Big Ten showdown against Washington.
The Huskies won’t be an easy win for Michigan State, but they will be without a star transfer who was expected to have a big role this season. Desmond Claude transferred to Washington this past offseason from USC and he just announced that he’ll be stepping away from the game and a potential return to focus on his health.
Washington will be a little short-handed on Saturday night, but that doesn’t exactly mean a sure win for the Spartans. We’ve seen short-handed teams give the Spartans trouble in the past.
The second leg of Michigan State’s quick two-game West Coast trip will also feature a team that will be short a star player. Oregon will host Michigan State next week, but it’ll be without its best player when the Spartans come to town. According to head coach Dana Altman, the Ducks will be missing star big man Nate Bittle for the next month after suffering a foot injury against Nebraska.
Dana Altman says Nate Bittle is out for likely a month with a foot injury. Jackson Shelstad still out vs. Michigan with hand injury.
— James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) January 16, 2026
This is a big development considering Bittle is averaging 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds this season as the Ducks’ best big man, and that takes away a 7-footer that Jaxon Kohler
and Carson Cooper would normally have to account for.
Michigan State will have a major post advantage against the Ducks now.
Michigan State is still going to get these teams’ best shot
Although Washington and Oregon are down key players who might be the best on their respective teams, they’re still going to give Michigan State all it can handle.
The Ducks have relied heavily upon Bittle this season, but it’ll be next man up for Oregon as they look to pull off a huge upset over the Big Ten’s third-best team, as of right now. Washington has been without Claude all season, so they’re going to be ready for the Spartans.
When you’re ranked near the top 10 and you’re the reigning Big Ten champ, it doesn’t matter who opponents are missing, they’re going to be hungry for an upset, especially at home.
Michigan State has a massive target on its back that losses of Bittle and Claude won’t diminish.