Michigan State basketball: 3 bold predictions for Maryland rematch

Jan 21, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA;  Michigan State Spartans guard Tyson Walker (2) looks too
Jan 21, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Tyson Walker (2) looks too / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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Saturday's Michigan State basketball vs. Maryland game will be Part 2 in the 2023-24 series and it'll actually be the second edition of the matchup in the past couple of weeks.

In fact, the Spartans beat Maryland just a couple of weeks ago in what turned out to be a thriller in College Park, 61-59. Now in East Lansing, the Terrapins are looking for revenge and this could be one of the better games of an action-packed Saturday with a number of ranked battles.

While this isn't exactly a top-10 battle, it's going to have plenty of intrigue.

Let's dive into some bold predictions.

3. Michigan State out-rebounds Maryland by at least 5

Michigan State has been bullied on the glass lately and that's uncharacteristic for a Tom Izzo-coached team and you just knows that's driving him crazy.

I think that changes on Saturday.

The last time these two teams met, Maryland dominated the glass, out-rebounding Michigan State 37-22 but fortunately it didn't matter as the Spartans got the last laugh. Julian Reese finished with 12 rebounds and really made the Spartans work for everything. That can't happen again if Michigan State wants to come away with a big home win.

After getting out-rebounded by 15 against Maryland, the Spartans were then dominated on the glass by Wisconsin and then Michigan. That's not acceptable and Izzo will make sure it doesn't continue.

Michigan State will out-rebound Maryland on Saturday night by at least five. This will be a much-needed rebounding bounce-back game.