Michigan State basketball: Final score predictions vs. Ohio State

The new year is tipping off with a road battle for Michigan State basketball against Ohio State.

The Buckeyes have won three straight games, including a 20-point win over Kentucky, and they’ve been playing much better since getting wiped by Auburn and Maryland last month. Michigan State, on the other hand, has won six straight games which was sparked by a big overtime win over North Carolina in the third-place game at the Maui Invitational.

This should be a great game.

Ohio State began the year in the rankings and it beat No. 19 Texas to open the season before losing at Texas A&M by 14 just two games later. It then bounced back to win by 50 against Evansville, 44 by Campbell, and 33 against Green Bay. But losses to Pitt, Maryland, and Auburn over the past seven games have some fans jumping off the bandwagon even though that Kentucky win reeled some back in.

Michigan State is looking for more signature wins and beating the Buckeyes, a projected tournament team, on the road would be a good start to the resume-building of the second half of the season.

What do our writers see happening on Friday night in Columbus?

Connor Muldowney: This is going to be one of those typical back-and-forth games that takes about five years off our lives and Michigan State will find a way to win in the end. The Spartans will ride big games by Frankie Fidler and Xavier Booker to a huge road win over the Buckeyes to improve to 3-0 in conference action. Michigan State 80, Ohio State 76.

Chris Norman: Buckeyes keep it close but MSU wins the race to 69 and free throws late down the stretch ice the game. Michigan State 78, Ohio State 69.

Maxwell Klitzke: Michigan State 77, Ohio State 67

DailyMSU: Michigan State 68, Ohio State 77

Emmett Matasovsky: Michigan State 76, Ohio State 71

MilkManMSU: Michigan State 71, Ohio State 69

Zack Theis: Michigan State 74, Ohio State 68

As you can see, our writers are high on Michigan State basketball heading into this huge road showdown. Will the Spartans take care of business and improve to 3-0 in the Big Ten?