Michigan State basketball: Final score prediction for Minnesota rematch

Michigan State basketball will look to complete its second straight sweep on Tuesday with a win at Minnesota.

Michigan State basketball is finally above .500 in conference play for the first time this season. At 14-8 overall and 6-5 in Big Ten play, can the Spartans keep the momentum going?

The Spartans have won five of their last six games and are on the best stretch of their season by far. They now head on the road against a tough Minnesota team that gave them fits in East Lansing the first time around.

Let’s run through a quick recap of that first meeting and then predict the rematch on Tuesday in Minneapolis.

Game one recap

The first meeting between these two teams was on Jan. 18 in East Lansing. The Spartans came away with a 76-66 victory, but the game was anybody’s to win late.

Michigan State held a 37-32 halftime lead, but the Gophers quickly erased that lead within minutes. The game was back and forth all second half, staying within that five-point margin. With 5:39 remaining, Minnesota hit a jump shot to tie the game at 62. Enter, Tyson Walker.

Walker finished the game with 21 points, but he scored 12 of his points in the final four minutes. He also outscored the entire Minnesota team in the final four minutes 12-4. Speaking of Minnesota’s final four points, those all came from the free throw line. So the Spartans’ defense helped close this game out as well, holding Minnesota to no field goals in the final five minutes.

When MSU needed him most, Walker, along with the defense, came through in a big way and won the Spartans this game.

Game two prediction

The Spartans are riding high now after winning five of their last six games, but I’m a little nervous heading into this game. Michigan State only has one road win this season, so it’s hard being confident in any road game right now.

Also is the fact that Minnesota played the Spartans tough in East Lansing without one of their best players. Elijah Hawkins leads the nation in assists per game with 7.8, but he didn’t play in the first game.

I’ve predicted MSU to win most of their games this season, especially recently, but I don’t think I can here. Home-court advantage and Hawkins being back will be the difference in this game as the Gophers will win a close one.

Final score: Michigan State 68, Minnesota 73