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Michigan State Basketball: Game preview, predictions vs. Wisconsin

By Connor Muldowney

Feb 23, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks to Michigan State Spartans guard Cassius Winston (5) during the first half of a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks to Michigan State Spartans guard Cassius Winston (5) during the first half of a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball is set to take on Wisconsin Sunday evening and here’s the preview and prediction.

Senior Day is here. Although it’s not as touted as other home finales in seasons past, Michigan State basketball still wants to send Alvin Ellis III, Eron Harris and Matt Van Dyk out on strong notes. Wisconsin presents a tough matchup for the Spartans, though.

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

Wisconsin hasn’t had much recent luck in East Lansing, but the Badgers continue to be the Spartans’ biggest rival on the hardwood, it seems. These two teams constantly play each other tough and even though Bo Ryan is gone, you can expect the same type of matchup on Sunday.

The Badgers are ranked No. 16 in the country but they’re coming off a tough loss to Ohio State on the road while the Spartans rebounded from last weekend’s Purdue defeat with a victory over Nebraska at home. Will they send the seniors out on the right note?

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

Date: Sunday, Feb. 26
Start Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, MI
Venue: Breslin Center
TV: CBS
Live Stream: CBS Sports Live

Keys to Victory

Score, score and score some more. Michigan State needs to get out in the fast break and ensure that points are put up early and often. That may seem obvious, but when you punch Wisconsin’s elite defense in the mouth, the Badgers then struggle with confidence. If Michigan State can score 70, the Spartans will win.

While Wisconsin hasn’t been its usual sharpshooting self this season, the Badgers can still hurt teams from beyond the arc. Michigan State needs to defend the perimeter and not allow guys like D’Mitrik Trice, Bronson Koenig or Zak Showalter to go off. Keying in on Ethan Happ down low will also be important for the Spartans — force Nick Ward to be physical with him.

Fun Facts

  • Michigan State has won 10 straight games in East Lansing against Wisconsin.
  • The Badgers’ last win at the Breslin Center came on March 2, 2004.
  • The Spartans’ biggest upset win in recent memory came on Feb. 20, 2007, when No. 1 Wisconsin came to East Lansing and Drew Neitzel led the Spartans to a 64-55 victory.
  • D’Mitrik Trice, the Badgers’ freshman guard, is brothers with former Spartan sharpshooter Travis Trice.
  • This is the last home game for Eron Harris (injured), Alvin Ellis III and Matt Van Dyk while Ben Carter is applying for a sixth year and Gavin Schilling will likely be back.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Wisconsin -2.5

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

Prediction

Although the Spartans may be playing in front of a highly emotional Senior Day crowd, they will struggle against one of the best teams in the Big Ten which is still fighting for the conference title. Wisconsin will come out firing, but a few Miles Bridges dunks will ignite the Breslin Center. Ethan Happ will cause major problems in the post as the Badgers pull off a big win in East Lansing. Will this be Bridges’ last home game as well?

Final: Wisconsin 67, Michigan State 64

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