Michigan State vs. Savannah State: College basketball game preview, TV schedule

Before getting back into Big Ten Conference play, Michigan State is going through a pair of exhibition-like games. Next up, the pride of the MEAC Conference, Savannah State.

TV schedule: Sunday, Dec. 31, 12:00 p.m. ET. Big Ten Network

Arena: Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan

League play for the Big Ten teams technically already started a couple of weeks ago with teams each playing a pair of games in early December thanks to a scheduling quirk. The Michigan State Spartans 12-1 (2-0) already have a pair of wins over Rutgers and Nebraska to start things off.

In the week prior to getting back to conference play, most of the teams have been playing tune-up games, mostly ending in blowouts, except of course the Scarlet Knights. The Spartans were no different, trouncing Cleveland State by 50 on Friday Knight.

Michigan State scored 111 points, which is the third straight game hitting the century mark — something the team did not do in the first 10 games. Joshua Langford led the Spartans with 23 points while Nick Ward was too much to handle down low with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Miles Bridges had an all-around good game, with 18 points, eight boards, and seven assists.

On Sunday, the 100-point streak is all but assured to continue, with Michigan State welcoming Savannah State 3-11 (0-0) to town. The Tigers currently have just one D-I win, a neutral site victory over Alabama State.

The reason why I’m sure that the Spartans will have their way with the Tigers isn’t because they’re some small, inferior school, but that Savannah State is literally the worst defensive team in the country. The MEAC program gives up 96.8 ppg, which is the worst in all of D-I college basketball. In eight of the 14 games played, the Tigers have surrendered at least 100+ points, including 115 to Louisiana-Lafayette, and 108 to William and Mary.

Next: 5 Big Ten questions for start of league play

The top player for Savannah State is junior guard Dexter McClanahan, who averages 13.6 ppg and did score 22 in a game against Baylor this season. But he and his teammates have no answer for the Spartans, and the question isn’t will Michigan State win, but by how much? My guess is by at least 60 in a basketball massacre.

Prediction: Michigan State 120 – Savannah State 58