Michigan State basketball: 3 bold predictions for Minnesota rematch

Sitting at 17-2 and 8-0 in the Big Ten, Michigan State basketball is one of just 11 teams in college hoops that hasn’t lost a single conference game yet. On top of that, Michigan State is just one of two teams that hasn’t lost since before Thanksgiving.

Minnesota is trying to ruin that.

The Gophers come to East Lansing on Tuesday night, looking for revenge for an earlier loss to the Spartans in Minneapolis in which Michigan State scored 90 points and won by 18. This is a much different Minnesota team than the one that started the year 0-6 in Big Ten play, though. In fact, the Gophers are now 3-6 in the conference after beating Michigan, Iowa, and Oregon in back-to-back-to-back games.

It’s safe to say that Tuesday’s game won’t be a cakewalk as previously expected.

Let’s get into some bold predictions.

1. Coen Carr finally gets that double-double

I don’t know how much longer I can predict this without it happening, but it has to sooner or later. The sophomore forward has been flirting with double-doubles all season long and while he averages just 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds, he’s been playing the best basketball of his Spartan career in recent weeks. Coen Carr is actually coming off a game in which he nearly earned his first career double-double.

Carr will get that on Tuesday against a poor rebounding Minnesota team.

The sophomore forward will hit a three (yes, another bold prediction) and score 12 points while securing 10 rebounds with three blocks in an all-around great game for the rising second-year star from Georgia.

2. Michigan State hits 10-plus threes

This might seem more like an insane prediction rather than a bold one seeing as Michigan State basketball hasn’t hit double-digit threes in a game in over a month. But the last time Michigan State did hit 10-plus threes was against — you guessed it — Minnesota.

The Gophers’ perimeter defense leaves a lot to be desired and Michigan State will take advantage, finally getting hot from deep again, hitting 10-of-23 and guys like Jaden Akins and Xavier Booker will finally get hot from the perimeter. Maybe this will kickstart a 3-point barrage moving forward.

3. Minnesota keeps it close

I obviously don’t love making this bold prediction, but it just feels like Tuesday’s game has the perfect recipe for one of those tight contests in which it feels like Michigan State can never fully pull away. This will feel a lot like the Penn State game in which the Spartans won by five.

Minnesota has been hot lately and Michigan State has been playing much tighter games so I’d expect the Gophers to stay within striking distance for 40 minutes. Michigan State wins, but Minnesota covers that 13.5-point spread. It’ll be a 77-71 Michigan State win.