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Michigan State Basketball: Preview, prediction vs. Duke in Week 2

By Connor Muldowney

DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 29: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans defends against Amile Jefferson #21 of the Duke Blue Devils during the game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 29, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 78-69. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 29: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans defends against Amile Jefferson #21 of the Duke Blue Devils during the game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 29, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 78-69. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball will face off against Duke in the Champions Classic in the second game of the season. Here’s what you need to know.

If there’s one Michigan State game you need to keep your eye on in early-season action, it’s this matchup with No. 1 Duke on Tuesday night. The Spartans enter the game as the No. 2 team in the country, but the Blue Devils are sitting at the top.

Must Read: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for November

With a win, the Spartans could steal that No. 1 spot and finally beat Duke for the first time since the NCAA Tournament in 2005. Tom Izzo knows all too well that his team hasn’t fared well against the Blue Devils, and he’s hungry to change that.

Miles Bridges came back for his sophomore year to win games like these and he’s going to have to prove himself as the top player in college basketball on Tuesday. He will get to go against the likes of star freshman Marvin Bagley as well as Grayson Allen.

There will be plenty to watch for in this one, such as Izzo getting revenge on Mike Krzyzewski for beating his Spartans numerous times over the past decade.

Here’s how you can watch Tuesday night’s Michigan State vs. Duke game:

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 14
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Chicago, Ill.
Venue: United Center
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

On the offensive side of the ball, avoiding turnovers is obviously the major key, but making the Blue Devils work on each possession is top priority. Duke is a deep, talented team, but the Spartans must wear the Blue Devils down with ball movement in order to be effective. Shooting without a single pass will doom Michigan State.

Defensively, guarding the perimeter is important. Duke can shoot the lights out from long range and proved that through the first two games, making 46 percent of its 3-pointers as a team. Michigan State can’t get lazy on defense and must account for everyone who is on the floor as they can all shoot from range.

Duke Players to Watch

Duke is loaded with talent from top to bottom, including a number of McDonald’s All-Americans from recent classes. However, there are a few guys who the Spartans must account for above everyone else.

  • Grayson Allen: 20 points, 3.5 rebounds, 67 percent from 3-point range
  • Marvin Bagley: 24.5 points, 10 rebounds, 66 percent from the floor
  • Trevon Duval: 11.5 points, 10 assists, 3.5 steals
  • Gary Trent Jr.: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 54 percent from 3-point range

Next: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for November

Prediction

It’s going to be one of those games you talk about for weeks. Michigan State and Duke will be like a heavyweight battle. The Spartans are finally going to exact revenge on the Blue Devils as Tom Izzo will get his first win against Duke since that NCAA Tournament win back in 2005. Miles Bridges will have a monster game with 30 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. will add another double-double. The Spartans still turn the ball over, but not 21 times and force Duke to cough it up 15 times. This will come down to who can make more free throws in the end.

Final: Michigan State 77, Duke 70

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