The first month of the season didn’t go as planned for Michigan State basketball.
The Spartans have gotten off to a disappointing start to the 2023-24 season, with a subpar 4-3 record through the first month of the season. Things got off to a bumpy start when James Madison upset the Spartans in the season opener. Michigan State also dropped two more hard-fought games against two solid foes in Duke and Arizona, which has sent Michigan State from preseason No. 4 to unranked in a span of three weeks.
It’s safe to say it’s been a rough go for Michigan State basketball. But things are setting up for what could be a very big December. The schedule shapes up where Michigan State should be favored in potentially all of their next seven games, giving the Spartans a pathway to get hot before hitting the thick of conference play.
So with that being said, let’s take a look at the upcoming slate with my thoughts on how those games will play out:
Dec. 5: Wisconsin
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Michigan State has 62.6 percent chance to win
My prediction: Michigan State wins
At home, this is a game Michigan State should win with relative ease if the Spartans are going to contend for a Big Ten title this year. A loss to open the month would be very disappointing for the Spartans.
Dec. 10: at Nebraska
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Michigan State has 41.4 percent chance to win
My prediction: Michigan State wins
Nebraska has gotten off to a hot start this year with an unblemished record of 6-0 but they also haven’t truly been tested yet. This will be a tough environment and matchup, but again, I feel like Michigan State should win this game if they’ll be contending for a conference championship.
Dec. 16: Baylor (in Detroit)
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Michigan State has 41 percent chance to win
My prediction: Michigan State wins
This feels like the game where the Spartans breakthrough, doesn’t it? This will be one of the toughest remaining games on the Spartans’ schedule this year and they desperately need a marquee non-conference win after dropping the ball against Duke and Arizona. I’m going with history and predicting a Michigan State win in a fun neutral-court matchup at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich.
Dec. 18: Oakland
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Michigan State has 86.5 percent chance to win
My prediction: Michigan State wins
Michigan State has never lost to Oakland and I don’t expect that to change this year. This is a quick turnaround from the matchup against Baylor a few days before, so don’t be surprised if the Spartans are a bit slow out of the gates before pulling away in the second half.
Dec. 21: Stony Brook
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Michigan State has 93.3 percent chance to win
My prediction: Michigan State wins
According to ESPN Matchup Predictor, this is the Spartans’ easiest matchup in the month of December. There should be no issues for the Spartans with the Seawolves here.
Dec. 30: Indiana State
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Michigan State has 84.8 percent chance to win
My prediction: Michigan State wins
Michigan State wraps up the month with one final non-conference game, which should again be a relatively easy win. The Spartans could potentially be improving to 10-3 on the year, if all of my predictions for the month come to fruition.
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