Michigan State basketball has one of its biggest games of the season approaching. How can the Spartans knock off their rival Wolverines?
This will be an epic contest between two in-state, in conference rivals who both have aspirations of reaching the Final Four this year. Michigan State basketball and Michigan are both ranked in the top-10 as they prepare to face one another in the first of two guaranteed games. They could easily play each other again in the Big Ten conference tournament or even possibly in the NCAA Tournament. Both teams are tied for first place in the Big Ten. The Wolverines are currently 23-3 and 12-3 in the Big Ten while Spartans are 21-5 (12-3).
The Spartans are without two out of their three leading scorers as they travel to Ann Arbor and January 27th, 2017 represents the last time that Michigan State beat Michigan. The Wolverines have won three straight against the Spartans but Cassius Winston and Tom Izzo look to end the drought as they game plan for their top-10 showdown against their rivals.
The last time these two teams faced as both being ranked in the top-10 was back in 2013 in East Lansing. Michigan State won that game by a score 75–52 and they hope to repeat that outcome. This game is heavily anticipated. Both fanbases want their teams to win badly and this game will be heavily viewed and watched.
Now, let’s look at the three keys to victory for Michigan State.