Michigan State basketball: 3 bold predictions for Northwestern road battle

Fresh off a 31-point win over Penn State on Thursday night to pick up its first Big Ten victory of the season, Michigan State basketball is headed to Evanston to face a tough Northwestern team.

The Wildcats have made some noise this season, even beating Purdue, but Michigan State has been one of the hottest teams in college basketball over the past five games, winning each by double figures and averaging nearly 90 points during that span.

With the big game approaching, let's take a look at some bold predictions.

3. The Spartans shoot 50 percent from deep

Remember when Michigan State started the season 2-for-31 from deep and everyone was panicking that the Spartans wouldn't be able to figure anything out from distance? Me too.

It's been a complete 180 since then with the Spartans' shooting touch. They've actually been one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country over the past month and that's only going to continue on Sunday night in Evanston.

Michigan State just shot 10-for-21 from deep against Penn State and it's going to stay hot on Sunday, making 50 percent of its threes to really put the pressure on Northwestern. I'm predicting a 9-for-17 performance from long-range from this team.

If Michigan State is going to beat Boo Buie and Co., it'll need to get hot from deep.