Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: 5 reasons the Spartans will beat Notre Dame

By Connor Muldowney

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Andrew Platek #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans go after a loose ball in the second half of the game during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 26, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. Michigan State won the game 63-45. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Andrew Platek #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans go after a loose ball in the second half of the game during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 26, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. Michigan State won the game 63-45. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 26: Andrew Platek #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans go after a loose ball in the second half of the game during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 26, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. Michigan State won the game 63-45. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 26: Andrew Platek #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans go after a loose ball in the second half of the game during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 26, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. Michigan State won the game 63-45. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

1. Defense will build on its performance from UNC win

Defense wins championships. Michigan State has already found that out this season in the PK80 title game against the ninth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. The Spartans absolutely shut down the Tar Heels to the tune of 25 percent from the floor (a program record low) and only 1-for-18 from 3-point range.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: Preview, prediction vs. Notre Dame

It was an epic defensive showing for Michigan State and Tom Izzo had to be pleased with how his team rose to the occasion against the defending national champs. The Spartans are 4-0 against defending champs on neutral floors under Izzo now.

You can bet Izzo has been harping on strong defense ever since that showing against the Tar Heels and practices have likely been based around hedging screens, jumping out to help and getting back once help comes and boxing out. Michigan State did all three of those well against North Carolina and will build on that against the Irish.

Next: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Notre Dame

Expect a second straight sparkling defensive performance, outside of some blown 3-point coverage, from the Spartans. They will hold a usually hot-shooting Notre Dame team to just 41 percent from the floor and 63 total points.

Home/Spartans Basketball