How are the Spartans Doing Based Upon the Spartan Nation Pre Season Projections and Predictions?

The Spartans are three games into their Big Ten season and I figure now is as good as any to look at my pre season predictions and look at where they are. Â

The Spartans are three games into their Big Ten season and I figure now is as good as any to look at my pre season predictions and look at where they are.

 

The Spartans are right on track for a Big season. Photo courtesy of Mark Boomgaard

If you include three Big Ten tournament games, the Spartans will play 34 games this season prior to the NCAA tournament. I predicted them to go 29-5. Let’s look at those predictions. I will put my prediction and if they game has been played what actually happened in parenthesis.

 

11/13 Florida Gulf Coast W (W)

11/17 Gonzaga W (W)

11/20 Toledo W (W)

11/22 Valparaiso W (W)

11/27 Florida W (L)

11/28 UMASS W (W)

 

12/1 North Carolina L (L)

12/4 Wofford W (W)

12/7 Citadel W (W)

12/10 Oakland W (W)

12/19 IPFW W (W)

12/22 Texas L (L)

12/30 Texas Arlington W (W)

 

1/2 Northwestern W (W)

1/6 Wisconsin W (W)

1/9 Iowa W

1/13 Minnesota W

1/16 Illinois W

1/20 Iowa W

1/23 Minnesota W

1/26 Michigan L *See explanation below*

1/30 Northwestern W

 

2/2 Wisconsin L

2/6 Illinois W

2/9 Purdue W

2/13 Penn State W

2/16 Indiana W

2/20-21 Ohio State W

2/27-28 Purdue L

 

3/3-4 Penn State W

3/6-6 Michigan W

3/11-14 Big Ten Tournament 3 Wins

The bold prediction is the one that I got wrong so far. This team will peak. It hasn’t yet. That doesn’t change the simple fact that the Spartans are poised for a great season.

 

I predicted them to be sitting here this morning at 13-2 and they are 12-3. No big deal and they Spartans on a roll. Tom Izzo once again has worked this group of young men, with a tough schedule into form and you can see it coming together.

 

*I know that my inbox will fill with vitriol for saying MSU will lose at UM. Here is why, and then you can send me the hatred, but at least knowing why.  Prior to last seasons win at Michigan on February tenth; the Spartans hadn’t won in Crisler since February twelfth of 2005. That puts the Spartans at 2-2 over the past five seasons and with of the Spartan loses (2/27/07 and 1/25/06) the Spartans had considerably more talent.

 

I have said so many times that I know for regular readers it gets monotonous that when you hit rivalry games you throw records out. UM has struggled this season, but that game will BE their season and they have proven they can beat MSU there and MSU has proven they can at times struggle there.

 

Of course we all want me to be wrong, but they are better coached and they have a significant upgrade in talent. I expect a dogfight there.  I am being objective.