Michigan State vs Ohio State preview, prediction, odds and more
Who’s going to come out on top of Friday’s Michigan State vs Ohio State matchup?
The last time No. 2 Michigan State (26-5, 13-5) and Ohio State (20-12, 11-7) met, it was senior day at the Breslin Center and the Spartans claimed a 91-76 victory. In case you missed any of the festivities, such as the seniors kissing the floor, here you go:
That was Michigan State’s second victory in as many weeks against the Buckeyes and on Friday evening in Indianapolis, the Spartans will try to make it three times in three weeks. It’s hard enough to beat a team twice in a single season, but the Spartans have to do it within a span of a month.
Ohio State lost Jae’Sean Tate to injury before the first meeting between these two teams, which led to an 81-62 drubbing of the Buckeyes by MSU in Columbus. The stud sophomore’s absence loomed large in the second game as well, and it might affect this final game between the two teams.
Who will come out on top of the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal matchup?
Related Story: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for month of March
Details for Friday’s Michigan State vs Ohio State game are below:
Date: Friday, March 11
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Stadium: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV Info: Big Ten Network
Live Stream: BTN2Go
Radio: For Michigan State radio affiliates, click here.
Three Keys to Victory
- Get Eron Harris involved. Eron Harris might just be the Spartans’ X-factor down the stretch and getting him involved early and often will be key. Can Michigan State make sure he’s a large part of the offense?
- Post play. While Michigan State does a great job of shooting threes, getting the ball into the post and watching Deyonta Davis and Matt Costello do work will be a good change of pace. No team ever won a national title by being one-dimensional.
- Perimeter defense. The last two times these teams have played, Ohio State got off to hot starts from long range. If Michigan State can keep the Buckeyes from making a handful of three-pointers early, the Spartans could just run away with this one.
Three Storylines to Follow
- Marvin Clark’s increasing role. The sophomore big man is finally feeling, and playing, like his old self again. Will we see him contribute at a high rate for the fifth straight game?
- Third time’s a charm. Beating any team three times in a season is tough, but the Spartans will look to take down the Buckeyes three times in as many weeks. It can be done.
- Bryn Forbes. Bryn Forbes has been arguably the best shooter in school history over the past two years. Can he keep that hot streak up and down the Buckeyes?
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Michigan State -13
Ohio State Players to Watch
- Marc Loving — 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 41% FG shooting
- Keita Bates-Diop — 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 46% FG shooting
- JaQuan Lyle — 10.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.0 steals
- Kam Williams — 8.0 points, 46% FG shooting, 47% 3-point shooting
Prediction
The Spartans will come out a little sluggish after not having played in almost a week and the Buckeyes will attempt to stretch an early lead. However, Michigan State will get back into it before halftime, taking a three-point lead into the locker room. It will be all MSU in the second half as the Spartans stretch the lead to 15 and ultimately win by 10.
Final Score: Michigan State 77, Ohio State 67