Michigan Vs. No. 10 Michigan State College Basketball Preview ...
The Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans are set to face off in a Big Ten college basketball showdown, with the No. 10 ranked Spartans looking to extend their winning streak and the Wolverines aiming to upset one of their biggest rivals.
Team Overview
The Michigan Wolverines come into the game with a record of 14-9, having won four of their last five games. The team is led by senior guard Eli Brooks, who averages 14.0 points per game, while junior forward Brandon Johns Jr. is the team's leading rebounder with 6.2 boards per game. The Wolverines are a well-balanced team with six players averaging over 6 points per game.
The Michigan State Spartans enter the contest with an impressive record of 17-4, including a seven-game winning streak. The team is led by senior guard Aaron Henry, who averages 15.0 points per game, while junior forward Joey Hauser is the team's leading rebounder with 7.0 boards per game. The Spartans have a deep roster, with eight players averaging at least 7 points per game.
Recent Form
The Wolverines are coming off a 79-57 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes. Eli Brooks led the team with 17 points, while freshman guard Kobe Bufkin added 16 points off the bench. Michigan shot a season-high 63.3% from the field and held Iowa to just 36.5% shooting in the win.
The Spartans are coming off an 81-71 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions. Aaron Henry led the team with 20 points and 7 rebounds, while Joey Hauser added 11 points and 13 rebounds. Michigan State shot 48.3% from the field and held Penn State to just 39.0% shooting in the win.
Keys to the Game
The key for Michigan will be to limit turnovers and keep the game close in the first half. The Wolverines have struggled at times this season with turnovers, which has led to easy scoring opportunities for their opponents. If they can take care of the ball and stay in the game early, they have a chance to pull off the upset.
For Michigan State, the key will be to continue playing great defense and dominating the glass. The Spartans have held their opponents to just 39.3% shooting during their seven-game winning streak and have outrebounded their opponents by an average of 10.6 rebounds per game during that stretch. If they can continue their strong play on defense and on the boards, they should come away with a victory.
Prediction
While the Wolverines have been playing better of late, the Spartans are just too strong of a team to bet against. Look for Michigan State to dominate the glass and play great defense, ultimately pulling away in the second half for a 74-63 victory.
Conclusion
The Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans are set for an exciting matchup, with both teams looking to add a win to their Big Ten record. While the Wolverines are capable of pulling off the upset, the Spartans have been playing great basketball during their winning streak and should come away with the victory. Regardless of the outcome, it should be a great game between two of college basketball's biggest rivals.
