Michigan vs. Michigan State: College basketball game preview, TV schedule

After a pair of wins today, Michigan and Michigan State are set to battle for a spot in the Big Ten Tournament Finals. Who will clinch their spot in tomorrow’s game?

TV schedule: Saturday, March 3, 2:00 p.m. ET. CBS

Arena: Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York

Conference tournaments have a number of objectives. One of them is of course to provide an automatic bid to the winner, allowing the team and it’s fans to sleep easy on the eve of Selection Sunday. The other was to shorten the number of bubble teams that have a shot at the NCAA Tournament.

That’s exactly what happened when Michigan 26-7 (13-5) defeated Nebraska in the quarterfinals. The final score was 77-58, with the Wolverines taking a solid early lead. Moritz Wagner had 20 points, with Muhammad Abdur-Rahkman leading the way with 21. Duncan Robinson came off the bench to score 16 points himself. The loss all but sent the Cornhuskers to the NIT.

While Wisconsin wasn’t on the bubble, the team still had hope to make a run in the Big Ten Tournament, and continue their 19 year run of consecutive appearances in the big dance alive. But despite playing close all game, and Ethan Happ at times trying to will the Badgers into a win, they fell to Michigan State, 63-60.

The Spartans only shot 5/16 from three-point range, but out-rebounded Wisconsin 41-27. Miles Bridges showed up and played well, scoring 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Cassius Winston chipped in with 17.

These two teams only played once in the regular season, with the Wolverines winning in East Lansing, 82-72. It was a career game for Wagner, scoring 27 points. Freshman Zavier Simpson had 16 in the game as well. Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr. each had 19 points but the Spartans made just three shots from deep.

Next: 2018 Big Ten Conference Tournament preview

The difference between then and now is that Michigan State 29-3 (16-2) was going through a mid-season rut. And while Michigan themselves are playing well, Tom Izzo has this team playing at a Final Four level, and should reach the title game on Sunday.

Prediction: Michigan State 78 – Michigan 74