Only five games stand between Michigan State basketball and the postseason. Tom Izzo and the Spartans have a lot of work to do if they’re going to make a deep run, but this team can do it.
A year ago, the Spartans were battling to hold on to their lead in the Big Ten standings, but this season they’re essentially out of the race with five games left because Michigan is having an all-time good season. In a normal year, Michigan State would have as much of a chance as anyone.
Let’s predict the final five games to see where they’ll stand at the end of the regular season.
vs. Ohio State (Feb. 22)
Ohio State just lost one of its best players indefinitely, and I just don’t see the Buckeyes beating the Spartans with just Bruce Thornton. Michigan State will have another confidence-boosting game before heading to West Lafayette to face the Boilermakers. Michigan State can’t get caught looking ahead here, but I think we’ll see another 3-point barrage.
Prediction: Ohio State 63, Michigan State 78 (22-5, 12-4 Big Ten)
at No. 7 Purdue (Feb. 26)
It’s been 12 years since Michigan State last won at Mackey Arena. The Spartans’ house of horrors has been Mackey over the years and it’s truly Tom Izzo’s kryptonite. However, if there’s any year that the Spartans could beat the Boilermakers in West Lafayette, it’s this season.
Jeremy Fears is going to have a big game and nearly will the Spartans to a big road win, but they’re going to fall just short in the final minutes. The wait for a Mackey win continues.
Prediction: Michigan State 70, Purdue 75 (22-6, 12-5)
at Indiana (March 1)
Winning at Assembly Hall isn’t much easier than winning at Mackey, but Michigan State has a much better team than the Hoosiers this season. While home-court advantage may play a role, I think Michigan State will be able to suffocate the Hoosiers for 40 minutes.
This will be one of those defensive-minded wins, but we’ll also see a big game from Trey Fort on the road. This win will be big for maintaining that 3-seed projection and potentially rising to a 2-seed.
Prediction: Michigan State 74, Indiana 67 (23-6, 13-5)
vs. Rutgers (March 5)
Michigan State needs to avenge itself after needing overtime to beat Rutgers a few weeks ago. They’re going to hand it to Rutgers and it won’t necessarily be close.
Let’s just call this blowout payback for Steve Pikiell refusing to move his game up so Michigan State could reschedule its Minnesota matchup back in 2023 after a campus shooting.
Prediction: Rutgers 52, Michigan State 76 (24-6, 14-5)
at No. 1 Michigan (March 8)
Beating the No. 1 team on the road to end the season would be nice, but it would be even better if that win came against a top rival. Michigan State will have that opportunity in a few weeks.
Unfortunately, I just think Michigan is playing out of its mind right now and while I do see Michigan State keeping it closer than the first matchup, I believe the Wolverines win here and complete the dreaded sweep. Fears will have a big game and the Wolverines will be on upset watch, but they’ll catch fire late and hold on for their first sweep in years.
Prediction: Michigan State 72, Michigan 83 (24-7, 14-6)