Michigan State basketball: Final score predictions for road battle at USC

Saturday’s Michigan State basketball game at USC will be the first of potentially three straight Quad 1 opportunities as the Spartans are coming off a home blowout of Minnesota and they’ll be looking to extend their winning streak to 14 games.

That won’t be a walk in the park, however, as USC has been playing some of its best basketball of the season.

PREVIEW: Game preview, prediction for Michigan State vs. USC

Earlier in the season, I would’ve called this game a “sure win” but that’s gotten a little sketchier because of the Trojans’ recent hot play. They’ve beaten Illinois and Nebraska on the road in recent weeks and this is a huge opportunity for them to add a resume-building win.

For Michigan State, it’s a chance to get Tom Izzo one win away from tying Bob Knight’s Big Ten record. Can he do it right after his 70th birthday? Let’s check in with the staff predictions.

Connor Muldowney: The Trojans are playing some of their best basketball of the season and Eric Musselman is really starting to figure it out with USC but Michigan State has been showing up prepared every time out. This will be no different. The Spartans will have to battle this one out, but thanks to a nice start, Michigan State wins 80-73 and covers the spread.

Maxwell Klitzke: Michigan State 77, USC 74

Emmett Matasovsky: Michigan State scores 70 in honor of Tom Izzo’s 70th. Poetry. Michigan State 70, USC 61.

Daily MSU: Michigan State 75, USC 62

Chris Norman: I don’t know why I got a feeling this game’s going to be close. Michigan State 67, USC 65.

MilkManMSU: Michigan State 81, USC 65. We may never lose again.

Zack Theis: Michigan State 74, USC 62

Joey Shaver: Michigan State 79, USC 71

Anthony Garvert: Michigan State 78, USC 67

All of our writers believe this will be a win for Michigan State but I think this one is closer than people expect. Fourteen wins in a row to celebrate Izzo’s 70th birthday this week would be a nice gift.