3 bold predictions for Michigan State basketball's BTT opener vs. Minnesota

2. Jaden Akins gets back on track with 20 points

Jaden Akins has heard it all over the past few weeks. He's heard that his junior year has been a massive disappointment and that he just lost his shooting touch. While his junior season has been a bit of a disappointment given the expectations, I would say he's still an elite shooter who is just looking to get his groove back.

What better time to do that than in the postseason with a tournament berth on the line?

Akins is one of the most aggressive offensive players on the team and he'll be hunting his shot early and often on Thursday afternoon. He'll get the Spartans' offense going early with a couple of big threes and he'll have 10 points by halftime.

In the second half, he'll come out firing much like he did at Indiana and unlike that game, he'll actually stay hot after a quick start. He'll hit three more threes in the second half and add a thunderous dunk late to give the Spartans a nice lead.

Akins will silence the doubters (for a game, at least) and finish with 23 points and four rebounds, making over 50 percent of his shots, including five 3-pointers.