Wisconsin looks to avoid a regular-season sweep by Michigan State on February 1. Who has the edge on this Big Ten matchup?
Who: 14. Michigan State 16-5, (8-2 Big Ten) vs. Wisconsin Badgers 12-9, (5-5 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, February 1st at 1 PM ET
Where: Kohl Center in Madison, WI
TV Schedule: FOX
The fourteenth-ranked Michigan State Spartans took care of the Northwestern Wildcats on Wednesday, 70-52, and they are looking to follow that up with a season sweep of Wisconsin on Saturday.
Xavier Tillman led the Spartans with 15 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in the January 17 win. Aaron Henry and Gabe Brown combined for 26 points and nine rebounds. With four assists in that game, Michigan State’s floor general Cassius Winston set a new Big Ten career assists record. He now has 830 career assists and passed fellow Spartan Mateen Cleaves finished his career with 817 during his tenure.
The Spartans ended the game shooting at 47 percent from the field while the Badgers were an abysmal 21 percent from the three-point line. Shot selection in the rematch will be a determining factor in who wins at the Kohl Center. Shots have to fall for Wisconsin to even the series and get a signature home win in conference. Nate Reuvers scored 19 points, pulled down seven rebounds and blocked two shots.
The Michigan State Spartans came into this season as the number one team in the nation and they earned key wins against Seton Hall, Georgia, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Their key losses came against Kentucky in the season opener, Virginia Tech, Duke, Purdue, and Indiana.
The Wisconsin Badgers have had a roller coaster-like season. After losing their first game to St.Mary’s, they won four straight games and then lost the next three. Their key wins came against Marquette, Tennessee, Ohio State, Penn State, and Maryland. Their key losses were Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue, and Iowa.
Wisconsin needs this win more than Michigan State does. The Badgers should have an edge at home.