Michigan State Basketball: 2016-17 Game-By-Game Predictions
February 2 (16-6, 6-3) @ Nebraska
Nebraska’s top two scorers and rebounders from a season ago are out and they lack the personnel to immediately replace them. Michigan State has far more talent than the Cornhuskers and they win big on the road. Michigan State wins.
February 7 (17-6, 7-3) @ Michigan
Nine days after their first meeting, the Wolverines host the Spartans at the Crisler Center and they will be ready. These two teams are very evenly matched and simply being at home could give Michigan the edge. Zak Irvin has a big game and the Wolverines level the score. Michigan wins.
February 11 (17-7, 7-4) v. Iowa
Michigan State, on the brink of removal from the top 25 after their fourth loss in five games, begins its February renaissance by beating the Hawkeyes handily at home. Peter Jok is one of college basketball’s best scorers—Sports Illustrated projects him to average 21.4 points per game in 2016-17—but after him, there is little veteran presence on this Hawkeyes team. They lack size on the interior and the Spartans have too much depth for Iowa to keep them from scoring. Michigan State wins.
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February 14 (18-7, 8-4) v. Ohio State
One month after losing in Columbus, the Spartans’ talent really begins to emerge as the freshmen, playing more minutes than ever, shed their freshmen-ness and start to look like experienced ballplayers. They simply have too much talent for Ohio State as, right on time, Izzo’s team starts looking like a Michigan State team should look in February. Michigan State wins.
February 18 (19-7, 9-4) @ Purdue
If the season plays out like this, the knock on the Spartans at this point will be their lack of a signature win over a top-10 opponent other than the opener against Arizona. Here’s that win. Michigan State, playing their best basketball, go into West Lafeyette and upset the Boilermakers by stretching the floor with Miles Bridges and getting just enough boards from a now-healthy frontcourt to limit the Purdue’s second-chance opportunities. While perhaps too late to put them back in the thick of the Big Ten race, it’s a big win that shows what the Spartans can do when all the pieces come together. Michigan State wins.
February 23 (20-8, 10-4) v. Nebraska
The Spartans, fresh off clinching their ninth 20-win, 10 conference-win season in the last decade, easily down Nebraska at home. Michigan State wins.
February 25/26 (21-8, 11-4) v. Wisconsin
Wisconsin brings back four seniors, including potential All-American Nigel Hayes, and are in play for a national championship run under now-permanent head coach Greg Gard. Throw in a high-potential sophomore in Ethan Happ and you’re looking at one of the best teams in college basketball clashing with a hot young Michigan State team at the Breslin. It’ll be close, but ultimately having a true star in Hayes as well as all that experience gives Wisconsin the edge in one of the best games on the Big Ten schedule. Wisconsin wins.