3 keys for Oakland Grizzlies to upset the Michigan State Spartans

Box out and rebound!

A severe disadvantage in rebounds is almost impossible to overcome in the game of basketball. While neither the Michigan State Spartans or the Oakland Grizzlies is nationally regarded for their prowess on the glass, the Grizzlies are in an uphill battle on the boards due to the sheer size of the Spartans’ front line. If they are going to avoid being dominated in the paint, it can only be done through a deliberate team effort.

Michigan State has three players on the roster who is 6’9″ and one player, freshman Carson Cooper, who is 6’11”. At any time during the game, it is feasible that two of these big men are on the court at the same time. Oakland, on the other hand, has one player, freshman Chris Conway, who is 6’9″. He cannot bang with the Spartans’ big bodies by himself; the Grizzlies are going to have to rebound by committee.

Trey Townsend and Keaton Hervey are currently the team’s two leading rebounders at 7.7 and 7.5 rebounds per game respectively. However, standing at 6’6″ and 6’4″, it will be tough for them to exert their usual rebounding prowess against the Spartans. The Grizzlies are members of the Horizon League and they do not face the same giants that the Spartans are used to going up against in their Big Ten schedule. The only way for Oakland to avoid being dismantled on the glass is to rebound by committee. Any other approach will result in an insurmountable deficit.