Michigan State Basketball: Early non-conference game predictions for 2019-20
By Ryan Kay
Seton Hall
Date: November 14th
Place: South Orange, New Jersey
According to both ESPN and SI preseason polls, the Pirates are rated #13. There is a reason for the high preseason ranking for the Big East co-preseason favorites with Villanova. Seton Hall beat Kentucky, Miami, and Maryland in non-conference play before beating Marquette, Creighton, and Georgetown twice and Villanova in Big East Play. Their star players from last season Kevin Willard and Myles Powell return as well as Quincy McKnight, Myles Cale, and Sandro Mamukelashvili. The Pirates only lose forward Michael Nzei and bring a key transfer big mn in Ike Obiagu from Florida State.
Even though the Spartans will play Kentucky, Duke, and possibly Kansas in non-conference play, this game versus Seton Hall on their home court may possibly be the biggest challenge in terms of matchups and going up again a veteran well-coached team. This has the makings of the game Michigan State played last season at Louisville where they lost in overtime. However, the senior leadership of Winston, Joshua Langford, and Kyle Ahrens will overcome the rowdy crowd in the Prudential Center and find a way to escape with a victory.
Prediction: Michigan State 82 Seton Hall 79 in overtime
Virginia Tech
Date: November 25th
Place: Maui, Hawaii
Michigan State opens up the Maui Invitational against ACC foe Virginia Tech. The Hokies who went 26-9 last season will not look the same or have the same success as they did last year. This offseason they lost their head coach to Texas A&M, lost their most talented player and leading scorer to the NBA Draft, and lost their second-leading scorer as he transferred to Florida. Virginia Tech lost a lot from last season’s team and new head coach Mike Young scrambled to sign added six incoming players for the 2019 recruiting class. The Hokies are in a rebuilding phase right now and the Spartans should have their way in a 20+ point victory.