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Michigan State Basketball: Game preview, prediction vs. Ohio State

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 15, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Lourawls Nairn Jr. (11) drives under pressure from Ohio State Buckeyes guard JaQuan Lyle (13) at Value City Arena. Ohio State won the game 72-67. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Lourawls Nairn Jr. (11) drives under pressure from Ohio State Buckeyes guard JaQuan Lyle (13) at Value City Arena. Ohio State won the game 72-67. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball hosts Ohio State on Tuesday night in hopes to avenge a previous loss to the Buckeyes.

About a month ago, Michigan State faced Ohio State in Columbus as the Spartans were looking to improve to 5-1 in conference play and push the Buckeyes’ Big Ten record to 0-5. However, not even a hot start (6-for-6 from the floor) could save the Spartans from upset.

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Michigan State went on to lose the game, 72-67, which happened to be the first of three straight losses for the Spartans. It could be argued that if Michigan State won that game, the confidence carried over from the blowout win over Minnesota and 5-1 start in conference play would have been enough to avoid losses to Indiana and Purdue as well.

Revenge will play a factor in this one as Tom Izzo knows his team is much better than the first matchup between the two teams. Will the Spartans exact revenge on Tuesday night?

Here’s how you can watch Tuesday night’s Michigan State basketball game:

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 14
Start Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, MI
Venue: Breslin Center
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

Ohio State doesn’t have the deepest bench nor do the Buckeyes have big bodies to throw at Nick Ward or Miles Bridges. That means the Spartans should be attacking the paint, at all costs. Feeding Ward and Bridges down low could get the Buckeyes into serious foul trouble early on and force them to dig deep on the bench, throwing in guys who aren’t comfortable with extended playing time.

Defensively, locking down guys like Marc Loving and JaQuan Lyle (if healthy), preventing them from getting many 3-point shots up. Michigan State struggled in the first meeting because of perimeter defense and that’s the key in this one. Ohio State can shoot it if it’s open, but not so much when contested.

Fun Facts

  • Denzel Valentine hit a game-winning 3-pointer two years ago today to defeat Ohio State at the Breslin Center, 59-56.
  • Michigan State has won five out of the last six meetings between the two teams.
  • Ohio State’s last win in East Lansing: March 16, 2013

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Michigan State -7
Over/Under: 141

Related Story: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for February

Prediction

Revenge is on the mind of the young Spartans and that could be all this team needs to produce a big win on Tuesday night. However, they will come out a bit sloppy again before turning things around and getting hot right before halftime. The second half will be more of the same as Josh Langford scores 15, Nick Ward adds 14 and Miles Bridges leads the way once again with 17. Ohio State won’t be able to make threes all game long this time.

Final: Ohio State 64, Michigan State 74

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