Free Press sports writers make their predictions for Sunday’s rematch between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines at the Breslin Center (4:30 p.m., CBS). Michigan defeated MSU, 69-50, on Thursday in Ann Arbor.
Orion Sang
As seen in the first meeting between these two teams, there is a rather wide gap on both ends of the court. But this could be a classic letdown game: U-M just won the Big Ten title on Senior Night, clearly a huge deal for the team. If the Wolverines aren’t ready for the intensity of a desperate MSU team, they could find themselves down early. Still, they have a clear talent advantage. Michigan 70, Michigan State 64.
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Chris Solari
Tom Izzo’s players heed his call for more intensity, which carries them deeper into the second game than it did the first. However, the Wolverines possess too much firepower in the paint and on the perimeter and are still a bad matchup for an MSU team lacking a true point guard or center. Michigan 72, Michigan State 66.
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Shawn Windsor
The Spartans might make a few more shots and adjust their ball screen defense and keep the game competitive well into the second half — unlike the first meeting. Still, it’s a tough matchup for MSU and the Wolverines should have little let down despite clinching the Big Ten title Thursday night. Michigan 71, Michigan State 65.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State vs. Michigan basketball picks: Who wins the rematch?
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