Michigan State vs. Providence College Basketball Preview, TV Schedule, Prediction

TV Schedule: Sunday, Nov. 29, 10:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Stadium: Honda Center

This is what non-conference basketball is all about. The Michigan State Spartans and Providence Friars will go head-to-head later on today.

Both teams could end up making the 2016 NCAA tournament (that is a pretty big understatement right there), and both teams have a Player of the Year candidate.

For the Spartans, it is Denzel Valentine. His numbers have been absurd this season. Here’s the proof: 20.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game. He is also shooting 44.7 percent from deep for good measure.

As for the Friars, their main guy is Kris Dunn. Spoiler alert: Dunn is also putting up some freakishly good numbers. Once again, here’s the proof: 18.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 6.7 APG.

Those two players alone would make things very interesting, but both squads have talent outside of those two, of course.

The Spartans’ best win on the year (so far) came against the Kansas Jayhawks. Meanwhile, Providence’s best win (once again, so far) came against the Arizona Wildcats. Things are looking very bright for both teams when it comes to the top 25 rankings and seeds for the NCAA tournament. After all, Michigan State is currently ranked as high as No. 3, and you would think Providence would jump in the rankings whether it wins or loses this showdown.

The winner of this matchup very well could come down to which star has the bigger night — and I am going with Michigan State’s Valentine.

PREDICTION: Spartans 78, Friars 72

Trevor Lowry is a Content Associate at www.RantSports.com. If you’re a tweeter feel free to follow him @TheTrevorLowry, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.