Michigan State basketball: 3 bold predictions for Northwestern road battle
![Michigan State's A.J. Hoggard celebrates a 3-pointer against Penn State during the first half on Michigan State's A.J. Hoggard celebrates a 3-pointer against Penn State during the first half on](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2000,h_1125,x_0,y_146/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/137/01hkjqk2jt0nd3az2bcq.jpg)
1. Michigan State stays hot, wins by 10
Michigan State has won each of the past five games by double figures and that hot streak will carry over to Sunday's game at Northwestern. While the Wildcats have seemed to have the Spartans' number over the past few years, especially with Boo Buie still there, it's time Tom Izzo and Michigan State finally assert their dominance.
The Spartans are playing their best basketball of the season and you could even argue that Michigan State is playing better than it has in years. It's not just beating teams right now, it's demolishing them.
Plus, this is a really important game for the Spartans. They're facing a good Northwestern team on the road before going to Illinois and facing the Illini after a tough loss at Purdue. The Spartans desperately need to pick up a win here.
Will Michigan State take care of business?
I'm going with yes. The Spartans are going to play the Wildcats tight for most of the game before stepping on the gas late and pulling away. This is going to really make believers out of the rest of college basketball and they may even crack the AP Top 25 on Monday.