Rutgers at Michigan State: 2020-21 key storylines for Big Ten clash

Neither team is dominant in the paint

The Spartans had kicked off their Big Ten schedule with three consecutive losses prior to defeating Nebraska. In all three, they lost the battle in the paint. After having Pete Nance go for 15 and 12, Micah Potter getting 11 and 6, and Liam Robbins tallying up an 18 and 9 line, the non-offensive Myles Johnson and (if he returns from injury) Clifford Omoruyi will be welcomed by the Spartans’ frontcourt.

The two Rutgers’ centers collectively average under 13 points while grabbing less than four offensive rebounds per game. If there is ever an opportunity for a frontcourt player to increase their averages, it is against the Michigan State Spartans.

Coach Izzo has been juggling the minutes of his ‘bigmen’ throughout the three-game losing streak, trying to find a balance of scoring and defense. There have been just two constants, forward Joey Hauser is their best scorer and rebounder, while 6’8 Thomas Kithier’s playing time has hovered around the 18-minute mark.

Coach Izzo’s juggling has resulted in 6’8 Julias Marble’s minutes fluctuating from nine to eleven to four, 6’11 Marcus Bingham has gradually gone from eight down to just two minutes, while 6’9 freshman Mady Sissoko has gone from two minutes to not playing to twelve minutes versus Minnesota.

Aside from the height advantage, Johnson has on everybody besides Bingham, he will outweigh any Spartan defender by at least twenty pounds. Fortunately for the Spartans, Johnson and Omoruyi do not create their own shot opportunities, but the Spartans have not shown they are able to defend a lowered shoulder and a drop step either.

If the Spartans are unable to contain Rutgers in the paint, Spartans’ fans should be concerned about playing Purdue’s Zach Edey, Iowa’s Luka Garza, Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn in their next four games.