Duke, Arizona, the Big Ten and March

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch takes a thrilling journey through Michigan State’s men’s basketball season, predicting each and every game, from Monday’s opener against James Madison through March Madness.

**Monday in East Lansing: Michigan State opens its season against a James Madison team whose brand won’t catch your eye — unless you’re a fan of the Founding Fathers — but the Dukes are capable of testing MSU.**
James Madison returns several key players from a team that won 22 games last season (12 in the Sun Belt Conference) and hung in there with North Carolina while putting a scare into Virginia. Terrence Edwards, a 6-foot-6 wing with the ability to score, shoot, and defend, is their standout player. Although they lack size inside, they possess solid experience. The question lies at point guard, where they rely on a pair of graduate transfers making their James Madison debuts against one of the nation’s top backcourts. Prediction: W, 1-0

**Thursday, Nov. 9, in East Lansing: If you don’t know Southern Indiana’s basketball program, consider yourself a college basketball snob.**
The Screaming Eagles, a Division II powerhouse during the 1990s under coach Bruce Pearl, are now in their second season as a Division I team. They have added a number of transfers to their roster, including 6-10 forward Yarin Hassan from UConn and Jordan Tillmon from Florida A&M, who is one of the quickest lead guards MSU will face all season. Prediction: W, 2-0

**Nov. 14 in Chicago: The Champions Classic is where MSU’s great teams and stars have often shown their potential all season long.**
In this matchup against Duke, another loaded team that possesses a mix of experienced veterans and talented freshmen, MSU has the chance to showcase its skills. Although the Blue Devils’ top players are mostly sophomores, they decided to return and strengthen their team. The presence of 7-footer Kyle Filipowski will test MSU’s big men, Mady Sissoko and Carson Cooper. This is an opportunity for MSU’s highly acclaimed backcourt to make a statement. Prediction: W, 3-0

**Nov. 17 in East Lansing: Pierre Brooks II returns to Breslin Center with Butler in what might be the final year of the Big Ten’s Gavitt Games competition with the Big East.**
Butler, under head coach Thad Matta, has undergone significant changes. Pierre Brooks II, one of the nine new players on Butler’s roster, has a standout performance against his former roommate Jaden Akins, hitting seven 3-pointers. Akins, on the other hand, hits eight. Prediction: W, 4-0

**Nov. 19 in East Lansing: Alcorn State is the type of team MSU could potentially face in a 1-16 first-round NCAA tournament matchup if both teams have successful seasons.**
The Braves have won two consecutive SWAC regular season titles, earning berths in the NIT. However, they have not been able to secure their conference tournament win. Prediction: W, 5-0

**Nov. 23 in Palm Springs, California: The Spartans play Arizona at Acrisure Arena, owned by Lansing native and MSU mega-donor Greg Williams.**
Caleb Love, a North Carolina transfer who considered Michigan, has found his new home at Arizona. Oumar Ballo’s dominance in the paint gives Arizona an advantage. Unfortunately for the Spartans, Love’s shooting is on point, resulting in a loss on Thanksgiving. Prediction: L, 5-1

**Nov. 28 in East Lansing: Georgia Southern visits Breslin Center in the first season for coach Charlie Henry.**
Georgia Southern loves to play an up-tempo game, focusing on layups and 3-point shots. In this matchup, MSU sets a school record with 17 3-pointers and wins by a commanding 30 points. However, Coach Tom Izzo is not satisfied with the team’s second-half rebounding efforts. Prediction: W, 6-1

**Dec. 5 in East Lansing: Big Ten play begins with a visit from Wisconsin, a program frozen in time.**
Wisconsin brings back nine of its top 10 scorers, including 7-footer Steven Crowl, making them a formidable team in the conference. Nevertheless, MSU’s Xavier Booker’s length and athleticism allows them to prevail against Crowl. Prediction: W, 7-1

**Dec. 10 in Lincoln, Nebraska: MSU’s two-game Big Ten start continues with a trip to Pinnacle Bank Arena, one of the gems of the Big Ten.**
The Spartans have had success playing in Lincoln, winning their last five games at Pinnacle Bank Arena and 11 consecutive matchups against Nebraska overall. This trend continues as MSU secures another victory. Prediction: W, 8-1

**Dec. 16 in Detroit: MSU hosts Baylor on a Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena.**
Baylor is a team with several transfers and highly touted freshmen adjusting to the college level. Carson Cooper has a breakout game, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Prediction: W, 9-1

**Dec. 18 in East Lansing: Rocket Watts leads Greg Kampe’s Oakland program to its first win over MSU. Tom Izzo is proud of his former guard, despite the loss.**
Rocket Watts, in his second return to Breslin since transferring, scores 30 points for Oakland. Coach Tom Izzo admires Watts’ performance and reflects on his time coaching him. Prediction: L, 9-2

**Dec. 21 in East Lansing: Stony Brook visits. MSU dominates the game, and Steven Izzo has a memorable moment.**
MSU easily defeats Stony Brook, with Steven Izzo, son of Coach Tom Izzo, hitting two 3-pointers. The team celebrates the victory by carrying Steven off the court. Prediction: W, 10-2

**Dec. 30 in East Lansing: MSU plays Indiana State for the first time since the 1979 national championship game.**
In a highly anticipated game with various dignitaries in attendance, MSU emerges victorious. Prediction: W, 11-2

**Jan. 4 in East Lansing: Penn State brings in a completely new roster.**
Penn State’s roster has undergone significant changes since last season, with new players and coaches. Jaxon Kohler returns from a foot injury and A.J. Hoggard records a quadruple-double, including 11 turnovers. Coach Tom Izzo is not thrilled with the turnovers, despite the win. Prediction: W, 12-2

**Jan. 7 in Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern’s Boo Buie celebrates his birthday with a strong performance.**
Boo Buie, celebrating his birthday, has a standout game against MSU. However, it is not enough to secure a victory. Halftime brings a surprise introduction of Chicago Bears coach Jim Harbaugh. Prediction: W, 13-2

**Jan. 11 in Champaign, Illinois: The Illini have a roster that can compete, led by Terrence Shannon and Dain Dainja.**
The Illini’s strong roster, featuring impactful transfers, poses a challenge for MSU. Jeremy Fears Jr., MSU’s freshman point guard, records a career-high 10 assists in the defeat. Prediction: L, 13-3

**Jan. 14 in East Lansing: Rutgers visits and faces a hostile crowd due to a scheduling conflict.**
Coach Steve Pikiell of Rutgers faces constant boos for not accommodating MSU’s request to reschedule a game. Both teams are aware of the tension in the air. Prediction: W, 14-3

**Jan. 18 in East Lansing: Minnesota visits, featuring Max Christie’s younger brother Cam.**
Cam Christie, the younger brother of MSU player Max Christie, joins Minnesota’s roster. The key to Minnesota’s competitiveness is Dawson Garcia. Prediction: W, 15-3

**Jan. 21 in College Park, Maryland: Maryland’s roster has the potential for a strong season.**
Maryland has assembled a roster that could compete at a high level, led by guard Jahmir Young and big man Donta Scott. Prediction: L, 15-4

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