Toledo at No. 6 Michigan State Men’s Basketball: How to Watch and Score Prediction

WHO: Toledo Rockets (0-1, 0-0) at No. 6 Michigan State Spartans (1-0, 0-0)

WHERE: Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan

WHEN: Thursday, November 5, at 8 p.m. EST

WATCH: Peacock / NBCSN

Michigan State has its first two-day preparation period before a game this season. Although the season just tipped off Monday night, it already feels like we're right back in the swing of things, with the Spartans playing two games during the opening week.

On Monday, the Spartans laid waste to Quinnipiac in a 96-59 victory. The team fought hard from beginning to end and looked exactly like what fans expected, despite Tom Izzo saying there is still more work to be done.

In comparison, last season, the Spartans beat Colgate by 19 points to open the year. Now, Michigan State is winning its season opener by 37 points. To me, that shows this team is better than last year's squad, and it's going to have to be if the Spartans want to reach the expectations surrounding them.

Antone Bonke silenced any early rumblings about his ability to contribute with his first career double-double as a Spartan. Jeremy Fears Jr. led the team in scoring and assists, something you'll want to get used to if you're unfamiliar with Michigan State basketball.

Bonke, Coen Carr and Jordan Scott finished first, second and third in rebounding for the Spartans, respectively. Kur Teng led the team in three-pointers made.

There was no early-game lull that Spartans fans had gotten so used to seeing. Instead, Michigan State delivered terrific play from every player from beginning to end.

The Rockets dropped their first game of the season, 71-70, to Arkansas State in a wild matchup that came down to the very final shot.

Toledo knows the task ahead, but the Rockets are no slouch when it comes to winning basketball games. The program has finished with a winning record in each of the past nine seasons and knows how to battle.

The Rockets are led by Mynor Strong, who scored 18 points, and Jaylon Ouwinga, who added 16 points while leading the team with 14 rebounds in the loss to Arkansas State.

Toledo will do everything it can to disrupt the No. 6 Spartans, including using Ouwinga's size to try to win the rebounding battle against Rebounding University's own Michigan State.

The Spartans will be too much for the Rockets to handle, plain and simple.

Although I expect a dogfight from Toledo and for this game to be a bit closer than many are hoping during the first half, an expected second-half surge will push Michigan State to a double-digit victory.

Tune in to Peacock or NBCSN on Thursday night at 8 p.m. EST to watch the Spartans take on the Rockets.

My Prediction:

Michigan State: 85

Toledo: 65