Michigan State basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. Rutgers

Michigan State basketball will look to get back into the win column on Sunday. Here are some bold predictions vs. Rutgers.

Michigan State basketball (9-7, 1-4 Big Ten) takes on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (9-6, 1-3) Sunday at noon in an extremely important game for the Spartans. They need to get their season back on track before it’s too late, so these bold predictions need to come true so we can come away the victory.

1. MSU holds Rutgers under 55 points

Scoring 55 points in a college basketball game is almost unheard of, especially from a Power Six team. So this would take a dominant performance by the Michigan State defense for it to come true. This, however, isn’t a shot-in-the-dark prediction like we sometimes make, there’s some data behind it.

Rutgers is one of the lowest-scoring teams in America. The Scarlet Knights are No. 307 in the country averaging 68.3 points per game. But still, 55 points is a lot less than 68. Rutgers hasn’t been under this total in a game yet, but they have been very close more than a few times. They have had five games this season scoring 61 points or fewer.

With how dominant MSU’s defense can be, especially at home, this prediction feels possible. If it were to come true, I have zero doubts that MSU will win this game.

2. Two Spartans finish with double-doubles

It’s not uncommon for MSU to have one player finish with a double-double, but two in the same game would be a sight to see. The Spartans have been close once this season to accomplishing this when they played Southern Indiana earlier this season. Mady Sissoko finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds and it was Jaden Akins who came close to the second, with 13 points and seven rebounds.

Other Spartan players who could get a double-double on any night are Malik Hall and AJ Hoggard. You might think Tyson Walker could be included as well as he for sure will score double digits in this game. But Walker hasn’t gotten close to 10 rebounds or assists in a game that often this season. He definitely could get a double-double, I just don’t think it’s likely.

3. MSU hits 11 3-pointers

The Spartans haven’t been the best 3-point shooting team this season. On the year, they are shooting 35.3% from beyond the arc which is No. 113 in the country. So 11 makes in one game will be difficult.

They have met this mark once this season, making 12 against Stony Brook. The Spartans also made 10 in two other games as well. So yes, this will be difficult to do, but not impossible.

Walker had an off night against Illinois from 3-point range, connecting on only one of his seven attempts. I think he’ll bounce back and hit four for MSU in this game. I also think Jaden will add three and AJ will hit two, so that would get us close to 11 already. I’ve been waiting for another big game from 3-point range as I think the Spartans are better than their average suggests. So now seems like a great time for this to happen.