Michigan State vs. Minnesota Prediction: Can the Gophers Halt Jeremy Fears Jr., and a 7-Game Slide?

Can the Gophers upset the Spartans to halt their seven-game slide? Our Michigan State vs. Minnesota prediction holds the answer to that question.

The No. 10 Michigan State Spartans (19-3, 9-2 Big Ten) visit the Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-12, 3-8 Big Ten), looking to bounce back from a rivalry loss, while Minnesota aims to snap a seven-game losing streak.

Our Michigan State vs. Minnesota prediction has the projected starting lineups, details on how to watch, and a full score forecast with analysis for this exciting Big Ten showdown.


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Michigan State vs. Minnesota Projected Lineups and Key Matchups

Michigan State Spartans Starting Lineup

  • Jeremy Fears Jr. (14.9 PPG)
  • Jordan Scott (4.7 PPG)
  • Coen Carr (11.4 PPG)
  • Jaxon Kohler (13.8 PPG)
  • Carson Cooper (10.5 PPG)

Minnesota Golden Gophers Starting Lineup

  • Langston Reynolds (11.0 PPG)
  • Isaac Asuma (10.0 PPG)
  • Cade Tyson (20.0 PPG)
  • Bobby Durkin (9.0 PPG)
  • Jaylen Crocker-Johnson (13.6 PPG)

Minnesota is 58-71 all-time against Michigan State, dating back to 1943. Wednesday’s game will be the Spartans’ first look at the revamped Minnesota program led by first-year head coach Niko Medved, who went 143-85 in seven seasons as the head coach at Colorado State before landing in Minneapolis to replace the fired Ben Johnson.

Michigan State vs. Minnesota Prediction and Preview

Sparty has had plenty of time to sit on its loss to the rival Wolverines and is well-positioned to rebound in a big way.

Why? Well, they’re rebounding. This is the second-best rebounding team in all the land, and that figures to spike the possession count in this contest against a team ranking outside of the top 200 in that regard that is riding a losing streak that is in danger of reaching a month.

That’s not to say Minnesota hasn’t been competitive; they largely have been, and the Gophers have lost by four points or fewer four times during their seven-game skid, and two of the losses were in overtime. The inability to finish games is proving to be a real flaw.

MORE: PFSN Men’s CBB Power Rankings: Michigan Gaining Steam as March Madness Edges Closer

They’ll be lucky to be in any sort of clutch game situation tonight. Jeremy Fears Jr. controls the backcourt (31 points in the loss to Michigan) and has attempted 31 FTs over the past two games.

It’s hard to see his slashing style meeting much in the way of resistance against the Golden Gophers, and that has me believing there isn’t much intrigue to this game after the halftime intermission.

Prediction: Michigan State 71, Minnesota 60

How To Watch Michigan State vs. Minnesota

  • Date: Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET
  • Location: Minneapolis, MN
  • Arena: Williams Arena
  • TV Channel: Big Ten Network
  • Live Stream: FoxSports.com, Fox Sports App

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