Michigan State heads to Madison to take on Wisconsin on Tuesday night. Can the Spartans steal a road win or will Wisconsin continue its hot streak?
Matchup: Michigan State Spartans (19-5, 10-3 Big Ten) at Wisconsin Badgers (17-7, 9-4 Big Ten)
Date and time: Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7:00 p.m. ET
TV schedule: ESPN2
Location: Kohl Center, Madison, WI
Michigan State was able to stop its three-game losing streak with a 24 point win over Minnesota on Saturday. Before that game, the Spartans had lost to Purdue, at home to Indiana and at Illinois. It was easily their worst stretch of the season and it was accompanied by news that star guard Joshua Langford would not be returning from injury this season. The Spartans were hopeful he would make it back at some point.
Wisconsin, on the other hand, had their six-game winning streak snapped when they lost at Michigan on Saturday. After being tied and close most of the game, the Wolverines were able to pull away late for a nine-point win. Ethan Happ was limited to just four points in the second half in which he had to sit for over nine minutes due to picking up his third foul early in the half.
This is an important game for both teams as Michigan State is looking to stay in contention for the Big Ten title and Wisconsin is looking to stay at the number four seed line. Wisconsin has been playing great basketball as of late to climb up the rankings, while Michigan State has struggled and is in danger of slipping down to a three or four seed if this slide continues.
The Badgers are led by Ethan Happ who is averaging 18.3 ppg and 10.5 rebounds per game. What has made Wisconsin so good lately though is the help that they have provided Happ. They lead the league in three-point shooting by making almost 40% as a team. D’Mitrick Trice, Brad Davison, and Brevin Pritzl are all shooting 40% or better and have given the necessary support for the Badgers to be successful. Look for Happ to work on Nick Ward down low but if they double team he is a great passer and will find his open teammates. If they can knock down their shots they should be in good shape.
Tom Izzo went to bench more last game and it seemed to help out the Spartans who had started to look tired in their last few games. Cassius Winston has been playing like one of the best players in the conference but he has played a lot of minutes and it was starting to show. Nick Ward has been very good down low but they need to make sure he stays out of foul trouble. Happ will present a difficult assignment for Ward and it is valuable for him to stay in the game.
Wisconsin has played well at home this year going 9-2 and knocked off previously unbeaten Michigan at the Kohl Center which triggered their recent hot streak. Michigan State is just 6-3 on the road this year and has lost their last two at Purdue and their shocking upset at Illinois. The Spartans need to figure out their road woes quickly as they still have to go to Michigan and Indiana after their trip to Madison.
This game will be a contest of two different contrasting styles. The Spartans love to run and score quickly while the Badgers like a slow low scoring game. The Badgers have one of the best defenses in the country and that could be a problem for the Spartans. Michigan State is 193rd nationally in turnover percentage and the Badgers has been very good at pressuring the opponents into turnovers. If they can continue to do that they should have a great shot to win this game.
The pace of play will determine this game. If the Spartans can get the Badgers playing quickly and get the score into the 80’s they will win this game. If it is a low scoring game the Badgers will win.
Look for the Spartans to struggle against the defense of Wisconsin. The Badgers will get their crowd into and control the tempo. This is going to be a close game without but turnovers do the Spartans in and Wisconsin comes out with a big home win.