Michigan State Spartans vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Picks and Predictions January 28th 2025

No. 8 Michigan State Meets Minnesota, Aims to Keep Home Dominance

Despite a 12-game winning streak, No. 8 Michigan State coach Tom Izzo isn’t completely satisfied.

Following an 81-74 win over Rutgers on Saturday, Izzo saw warning signs in his team’s performance. As the Spartans (17-2, 8-0 Big Ten) prepare to host Minnesota (11-9, 3-6) on Tuesday night in East Lansing, he’s demanding a sharper, more selfless effort from his squad.

“I thought for the first time, we looked a little more entitled,” Izzo said. “We looked like we were reading our own press clippings. We did not move the ball smoothly. We looked a little selfish.”

With March Madness approaching, Izzo wants his team to stay focused and not get comfortable with its success.

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“Learning how to deal with failure is hard. Learning how to deal with success is sometimes harder.”

Minnesota Embracing the Role of Spoiler

While Michigan State looks to protect its perfect home record (10-0), Minnesota has been playing the role of giant slayer in recent weeks.

The Golden Gophers have beaten two ranked teams in their last three games, including No. 15 Oregon (77-69) on Saturday. They also knocked off No. 20 Michigan and Iowa in their recent three-game winning streak.

Now, Minnesota has a chance to take down one of the Big Ten’s elite programs on the road.

Dawson Garcia, the team’s leading scorer, has been at the center of their success, averaging 19.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

“He’s the ultimate competitor,” Minnesota coach Ben Johnson said. “He’s brought everybody up to his level. That’s been a huge part of what we’re doing here.”

Balanced Scoring Key for Spartans

One of Michigan State’s biggest strengths is its depth.

The Spartans have nine players averaging more than five points per game, making them one of the most balanced teams in the Big Ten.

• Jaden Akins leads the team with 13.8 points per game
• Jase Richardson is second at 9.8 points per game

This depth has helped Michigan State remain undefeated at home (10-0), but Minnesota is coming off a rare road win at Iowa and won’t be intimidated.

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Keys to the Game

• Can Michigan State Play with More Urgency? – Izzo wasn’t pleased with the Spartans’ effort against Rutgers. They need to start strong and avoid complacency.
• Will Minnesota’s Hot Streak Continue? – The Golden Gophers have been red-hot, beating three quality opponents in a row. If Garcia plays well, they could keep this close.
• Can Michigan State’s Defense Contain Garcia? – The Spartans have the depth to throw multiple defenders at Minnesota’s star forward. If they limit his production, the Gophers could struggle to generate offense.

What’s at Stake?

• For Michigan State – A win extends their winning streak to 13 games and keeps them firmly in control of the Big Ten standings.
• For Minnesota – Another upset over a ranked opponent would boost their NCAA Tournament resume and further solidify their late-season surge.

With both teams surging, this Big Ten battle promises to be a high-energy, physical contest as Michigan State aims to stay perfect at home and Minnesota looks to pull off another upset.