The No. 3 Michigan Wolverines (19-1, 9-1 Big Ten) will try to continue a five-game win streak when they visit the No. 7 Michigan State Spartans (19-2, 9-1 Big Ten) in a bitter local rivalry game. Who wins? Our Michigan vs. Michigan State prediction has the projected starting lineups and a full score forecast with analysis for this Big Ten matchup.
Michigan vs. Michigan State Projected Lineups and Key Matchups
Michigan Wolverines Starting Lineup
- Elliot Cadeau (9.8 PPG)
- Nimari Burnett (11.2 PPG)
- Morez Johnson Jr. (12.8 PPG)
- Yaxel Lendeborg (17.4 PPG)
- Aday Mara (8.6 PPG)
Michigan State Spartans Starting Lineup
- Jeremy Fears Jr. (14.1 PPG)
- Divine Ugochukwu (5.3 PPG)
- Coen Carr (11.4 PPG)
- Jaxon Kohler (12.2 PPG)
- Carson Cooper (10.7 PPG)
Michigan vs. Michigan State Prediction and Preview
How efficient can the road team be on the offensive?
That’s what tonight’s marquee matchup figures to boil down to. The Wolverines are an elite unit in terms of eFG%, and if they can make that stick against a top-20 defense, they’ll earn a sixth straight victory after their surprising loss to Wisconsin three weeks ago.
They put an end to Nebraska’s undefeated season on Tuesday night, and while their opponent was at less than full strength, the idea that, in a huge spot, six different players could score 7-11 points speaks to why this team is built to play in April.
Yaxel Lendeborg is regarded as one of the better players in the country, and it’s downright terrifying that this team is 20-1 without him hitting his stride. At the pro level, we saw Victor Wembanyama fall in love with three-point shots before rounding that part of his game out, and that’s what Michigan needs from #23 in order to make them close to unbeatable.
Does that switch flip tonight? It could, but it’s a good bet that a Tom Izzo team is going to come in and execute a plan that likely revolves around keeping him outside of the paint.
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Sparty is coming off an overtime win at Rutgers, and their only two setbacks this season look better with each passing day (a six-point loss to Duke and a two-point loss at Nebraska).
Jeremy Fears Jr. is the type of versatile guard that gives his team a chance to win every night, but will he get enough help on the perimeter?
He’s the only guard on this team averaging more than 7.1 points per game, and while Jaxon Kohler has touch from the perimeter, Michigan State is going to have to get a second ball-handler to step up to beat the Wolverines.
We will get this matchup again in March to close the regular season, and I’d sign up for at least one postseason meeting: both of these teams are capable of special things. For tonight, I’ll side with the extremely hot hand and a team that I think can bang with State on the glass.
Prediction: Michigan 74, Michigan State 69
How To Watch Michigan vs. Michigan State
- Date: Friday, Jan. 30, 2025
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: East Lansing, MI
- Arena: Breslin Center
- TV Channel: FOX
- Live Stream: FOXSports.com, Fox Sports App
