Prognosticators

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MSU men vs. Indiana

2 p.m. Sunday
CBS

JN: This game is big in almost too many ways. It’s Drew Naymick and Drew Neitzel’s last home game. The Spartans can get revenge on Indiana after they were thumped in Bloomington earlier this month. It will be a huge momentum boost heading into a week with two big away games. Naymick’s role will be bigger than ever, given the task of defending D.J. White. Travis Walton is more than capable of locking down Eric Gordon, so long as there aren’t too many switches. It comes down to scoring consistency for the Spartans. They need more than one player to step up. Someone will.

MSU 81, Indiana 74

SE: It’s a home-court game for the Spartans this time, which immediately changes the outcome of the game, in my opinion. And as solid as the Hoosiers are, MSU is that much more unbeatable at home this season. Not to mention, it’s Senior Day for Neitzel and Naymick — any idea how hard they’re going to play? On a 10-point scale, I’d say a 16, maybe a 16.5. The seniors will get help from the supporting cast, too. Raymar Morgan and Kalin Lucas will hit double digits and help keep Hoosier Eric Gordon from going off on a scoring tangent.

MSU 74, Indiana 69

CK: “Can you hear me now? Good.” Sorry, I’ve just been waiting to throw that punchline about former Indiana head coach Kelvin Sampson. Anyway, back to the game. Word on the street is that the Spartans are pretty tough to beat at home, and after going unbeaten at Breslin Center so far this season I don’t see them ending that streak against Indiana. The guess here is that Travis Walton will contain Eric Gordon (as much as he can be contained) and Drew Neitzel and Kalin Lucas will get a little offensive help from sharpshooter Chris Allen.

MSU 78, Indiana 67

CS: After laying a massive egg in their first meeting in Bloomington, Ind., the Spartans can ill afford another such effort against the Hoosiers at home. Spring break may cut into the Izzone a bit, but the chance to see Eric Gordon before he flies off to the NBA and Indiana’s recent scandal will make Breslin Center every bit as hostile as ever. Expect a big Senior Day performance from the Two Drew Review, because payback is sometimes the greatest of motivating factors.

MSU 72, Indiana 68

MSU hockey vs. Bowling Green

7:05 p.m. Friday/7:35 p.m. Saturday
WJIM (1240-AM)

JN: These MSU seniors are ready to go out with a bang. After a strong showing against the Wolverines last week, it’s time for MSU to start riding that wave into the postseason, as Rick Comley has been training his teams to do.

MSU 3-1, MSU 4-2

SE: Last year, MSU spoiled Bowling Green’s senior night while the Falcons did the exact same thing to the Spartans. Not this year. I don’t see an MSU program letting anything like that happen two years in a row – especially not on Rick Comley’s watch. Look for Tim Kennedy to score three goals on the weekend.

MSU 3-1, MSU 4-3

CK: All right, I’m going to be honest — the only thing I know about MSU hockey is that Jeff Petry’s dad pitched for the Detroit Tigers and Jeff Lerg is Superman. After some quick research, I found out the Spartans only are ahead of the Falcons a few places in the standings, but sport a much better record. When all else fails, trust the stats.

MSU 2-0, MSU 4-0

CS: Once upon a time, to end the regular season with a home-and-home against the Falcons would be a significant chore. This season, though an extremely hard-nosed bunch, Bowling Green has been the picture of mediocrity. Expect the CCHA’s best power play (MSU) to take advantage of the extra attacker often against the league’s leader in penalty minutes.

MSU 5-2, MSU 3-2

No. 11 Georgetown vs. No. 21 Marquette

2 p.m. Saturday
CBS

JN: I’m so over the Big East. These teams are not that fun to watch and it’s just a big cluster of better-than-average teams who I don’t see with any hope of making a real run in the tournament. That being said, I have always had a place in my heart for the tradition at Georgetown that’s been handed down with the Ewings and Thompsons. Then again, Tom Crean is an Izzo guy.

Georgetown 71, Marquette 63

SE: Time for Georgetown to take another hit, courtesy of former MSU assistant coach Tom Crean. Marquette has won five straight and they’ll probably finish off the season undefeated if they continue to score the basketball. With four solid starters averaging in double digits, Marquette matches up perfectly with the Hoyas, being able to hit them from all angles.

Marquette 81, Georgetown 75

CK: Roy Hibbert is the NCAA version of the Big Fundamental (Tim Duncan), but as much as I love the hard work of the post players college basketball is a guard-oriented game. The backcourt duo of Dominic James and Jerel McNeal are averaging more than 13 points a game a piece, and I’m beginning to sense the smell of an upset in the air.

Marquette 79, Georgetown 75

CS: I love how in the new 80-team Big East that two teams who should be fostering a rivalry only meet once in the regular season. Regardless, Marquette has been playing its best basketball recently thanks to guards Jerel McNeal and Dominic James. But the big question is if the Golden Eagles have a defensive presence inside to stop center Roy Hibbert? I say no on both accounts.

Georgetown 65, Marquette 60

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