Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: Game preview and prediction vs. Nebraska

By Connor Muldowney

Feb 14, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Lourawls Nairn Jr. (11) gestures from the court during the second half of a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Lourawls Nairn Jr. (11) gestures from the court during the second half of a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Michigan State basketball will host Nebraska on Thursday night and here’s the preview and prediction for the matchup.

Believe it or not, Michigan State basketball has struggled more with Nebraska on the basketball court than the football field over the past few years. In fact, the Cornhuskers have taken 3-of-4 meetings between the two teams, but Michigan State’s last victory came earlier this season.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for month of February

Nebraska is one of two teams in the Big Ten with a losing record overall but don’t let that 12-14 mark distract you from the fact that this team is still dangerous. There is plenty of talent on the roster, but Tim Miles has been dealing with injuries and he’s had to replace important transfer Andrew White this season.

Can the Spartans take down Nebraska for the second time this season or will the Cornhuskers continue to have Michigan State’s number in East Lansing?

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

Date: Thursday, Feb. 23
Start Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, MI
Venue: Breslin Center
TV: ESPNU
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

It’s time to get Nick Ward going again in the paint. The freshman big man has come back down to earth after a scorching start to the season and he needs to prove why he’s been named the Big Ten’s freshman of the week multiple times. If Ward has a big game, the rest of the Spartans will follow suit.

Limiting what Jordy Tshimanga and Ed Morrow do in the post will be key for the success of the Spartans on Thursday. This team can’t let them finish in double figures in either the points or rebounding category and limiting Tai Webster’s damage from the perimeter is also key.

Fun Facts

  • Michigan State won the first four meetings between the two when Nebraska joined the Big Ten.
  • Nebraska won the next three matchups before the Spartans ended that streak earlier this season with a road win against the Cornhuskers.
  • The Spartans haven’t beaten Nebraska in East Lansing since January of the 2012-13 season.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Michigan State -5
Over/Under: 133

Related Story: MSU Recruiting: Top 7 remaining 2018 basketball targets

Prediction

It’s not going to be easy this time around for the Spartans. Matching up with the Cornhuskers favorably in the first meeting of the season, Michigan State got to deal with a Nebraska team sans  big man Ed Morrow, but that will change this time. The Spartans will struggle to keep him off the glass and Tshimanga might have a big game off the bench as well. Ward and Miles Bridges will go off, though, accounting for 35 points and 19 rebounds as the Spartans pull away late.

Final: Nebraska 64, Michigan State 72

Home/Spartans Basketball