Predictions for Michigan State's Big Game vs. Duke
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Michigan State and Duke --- Saturday's game would be a big one in any season, just off of brand image alone, but this matchup has some extra juice to it. The Blue Devils are 9-0 and ranked fourth, and the Spartans are 8-0 and No. 7 in the rankings.
Both of these teams have a chance to cement themselves in the national title discussion with another win. Add in the fact that this game is on campus in East Lansing, and this game will feel as big as a December matchup can possibly feel.
On this episode of the Michigan State Spartans Insider Podcast, let's go through this game, go over the possible strategies that MSU and Tom Izzo might go with, and predict the final score.
Video of the entire episode can be found below. A written version can also be read further down.
Watch the MSU Spartans Insider Podcast here:
More on Saturday's Matchup
To first know Duke, one must know freshman forward Cameron Boozer. He's almost certainly going to end up being a lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and could very well end up winning the Wooden Award this season.
Boozer's stats show why; he's averaging an ACC-high 23.6 points per game, 9.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. He's also the son of 13-year NBA player Carlos Boozer, who also attended Duke.
The Blue Devils have two other players who are averaging more than 10 points per game, both of whom are sophomores. Isaiah Evans is one, averaging 12.6 points per game. He just hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 21 seconds remaining against defending national champion, and No. 15, Florida, on Tuesday. Evans was a five-star recruit in the class of 2024.
Another double-digit scorer is center Patrick Ngongba II, another sophomore. He's averaging 12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game this season. Ngongba had either four or five-star status as a recruit in the 2024 class, depending on where one looked.
"Still, much of the focus will have to be on Boozer. Michigan State can either try to contain him, which might open up possibilities for his co-stars, or maybe let Boozer get his while making easier attempts at containing other Blue Devils."
"Since Boozer might be the best player in college basketball this year, I think the latter strategy is better, since containing him is close to impossible anyways, and Duke is too good a team to say "make someone else beat you."
Jon Scheyer is in his fourth season as Duke's head coach, where he has accumulated a stellar 98-22 record so far. He's 1-0 against Michigan State, as his team earned a 74-65 victory during the Champions Classic on Nov. 14, 2023.
Final Prediction: Michigan State 74, Duke 71
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Previous Episode - What We Have Learned from Fitzgerald's First Few Days at MSU
A 2025 graduate from Michigan State University, Cotsonika brings a wealth of experience covering the Spartans from Rivals and On3 to his role as Michigan State Spartans Beat Writer on SI. At Michigan State, he was also a member of the world-renowned Spartan marching band for two seasons.
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