Michigan State takes on Virginia Tech in the Maui Invitational quarterfinals. What do the Spartans need to do to avoid the upset?
The Michigan State Spartans travel to Hawaii to play in the most recognizable collegiate basketball holiday tournament known to many as the Maui Invitational to play ACC opponent Virginia Tech in the opening round of the tournament.
The Hokies were a respectable 26-9 last season however they do not resemble or look like the same team or are likely to have the same success as they did last year. Last offseason, their previous head coach left to accept the head coaching position at Texas A&M. Virginia Tech lost their most talented player and leading scorer to the NBA Draft and their second-leading scorer transferred to Florida.
The Hokies also lost a ton of talent and experience from last season’s team and new head coach Mike Young scrambled to sign and added six incoming freshmen to fill out his roster for this season. The Hokies are in a rebuilding phase right now but they have surprised many by their good start to the season and their quality of play by their younger players.
Virginia Tech is heading into this contest is undefeated at 5-0 with an impressive road victory at Clemson. In the Hokies’ last game, they scored 100 points in their victory over Delaware State. The Spartans will not have an easy opponent in their first game of the tournament and they can not look ahead to their second game of the Maui Invitational. Let’s look at the 3 keys to victory for Michigan State.
1. Prevent Virginia Tech from making a ton of three-pointers
Virginia Tech made a remarkable twenty-one 3-pointers setting a school-record for most three-pointers made in a game for the Hokies in their win over Delaware State. Virginia Tech also surprised many as they also achieved a great achievement by breaking the old ACC record for most 3-pointers made in a game.
They were led by Nahiem Alleyne who connected on five of those made 3-pointers. Jalen Cone and Isaiah Wilkins each made 5 three-pointers as well. The seven freshmen players of Virginia Tech made at least one 3-pointer in that game.
The Hokies have four players in the top 4 in three points shooting in the loaded and talented ACC conference. The Spartans who play pack line man to man defense will need to extend it to the three-point line especially if Virginia Tech makes some early three-pointers.
Michigan State has two stellar perimeter defenders in Aaron Henry and Rocket Watts. Cassius Winston is not considered a great perimeter defender but is no means a liability guarding players who can shot from the outside. Even big man Xavier Tillman is versatile and can defend guards on the pick in roll if he is forced to switch defenders.
Tom Izzo is angry and motivated after the NCAA denied the appeal of the transfer waiver for Joey Hauser to play immediately this season. Izzo and his staff will be prepared to guard the dangerous and hot three-point shooting of the Hokies in Maui, Hawaii.