3 Bold Predictions for No. 1 Michigan State vs No. 2 Kentucky in NCAA Basketball Season Opener

Get excited, college basketball fans. The season opener is finally here, highlighted by two great teams taking the court at the neutral site of Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. No. 2 Kentucky will challenge No. 1 Michigan State in the Champions Classic in what will be an enthralling way to tip-off the 2019-20 campaign. Here are three bold predictions for the matchup between Tom Izzo's Spartans and John Calipari's Wildcats.

1. Cassius Winston Goes for 30

After making the preseason All-American team and being put on the Naismith watch list, it's widely expected Winston is going to have a career year. Hell, he may be the best player in all of college basketball. He'll be looking to start Mich. State's campaign on a high note, and what better way to do so than with his first career 30-point outing?

2. Defenses Shine in Low-Scoring Affair

This will be a matchup between two of the country's best defensive teams and they'll both put their best foot forward in the season opener. Kentucky held opponents to just 64.7 points per game last year, while the Spartans surrendered 65 points per game. The two tough defenses will smother the opposing offenses, and neither side will score more than 55 points.

3. Kentucky Pulls off the Upset

Kentucky got absolutely embarrassed in the season opener last season by Duke. There's absolutely no way coach Calipari will let that happen again. Two-way star Ashton Hagans will be leading the charge for the Wildcats and he should be able to help lift the team over Michigan State.