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Michigan State Basketball: Preview, prediction vs. Long Beach State in Week 7

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 18: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a second half play with Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 while playing the Houston Baptist Huskies at the Jack T. Breslin Student Events Center on December 18, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 107-62. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 18: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a second half play with Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 while playing the Houston Baptist Huskies at the Jack T. Breslin Student Events Center on December 18, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 107-62. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball hosts a struggling Long Beach State team on Thursday evening and here’s everything you need to know for the contest.

Tom Izzo wasn’t happy with the way Michigan State played against Houston Baptist on Monday evening despite a 45-point blowout. That’s not a knock on Houston Baptist, but rather a testament to how good he thinks his team can be.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: Report card for victory over Houston Baptist

The Spartans allowed 24 offensive rebounds which was cringe-worthy for the head coach and that was likely the only reason the Huskies broke the 60-point mark. Still, the Spartans recorded their biggest blowout win of the year and looked like the No. 2 team in the country.

Long Beach State (5-8) comes to town on Thursday night looking to beat its third power conference foe on the year after taking down Oregon State and Stanford already this season. However, the 49ers haven’t been all that competitive against true contenders such as Arizona, West Virginia or even Missouri.

Michigan State will need to clamp down defensively and take advantage of the poor defense and rebounding of the 49ers.

Here’s how you can watch Thursday evening’s Michigan State vs. Long Beach State game:

Date: Thursday, Dec. 21
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Venue: Breslin Center
TV: BTN Plus
Live Stream: BTN2Go

Keys to Victory

Long Beach State is one of the worst rebounding teams Michigan State will face all year. The 49ers average just over 33 per game while the Spartans rank sixth in college basketball. Crashing the offensive boards and getting second chance points will be important, especially since the 49ers’ offense isn’t all that explosive either. Second-chance points will kill all hope for Long Beach State.

Defensively, guarding the perimeter has to be the No. 1 priority once again. Long Beach State shoots about 39 percent from 3-point range and with Michigan State’s defense inside the arc, the 49ers will settle for long shots early and often. Don’t foul on the 3-point shots and don’t leave shooters wide open.

Long Beach State players to watch

The 49ers average just about 85 points per game while allowing slightly over 83. This isn’t a team that’s going to be able to keep up with the Spartans’ fast-paced style, but if the game is slowed down, they have a slight shot to keep it close. Here’s who we should be watching for.

  • Gabe Levin — 15.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 46% FG shooting
  • Bryan Alberts — 14.0 points, 1.3 assists, 41% 3-point shooting
  • Jordan Griffin — 9.2 points, 48% 3-point shooting
  • Deishaun Booker — 8.8 points, 5.7 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 53% FG shooting

This team can drain shots from deep and the Spartans need to be focused on guarding that arc. Griffin and Alberts will need to be clamped down on.

Next: MSU Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for December

Prediction

With Izzo unhappy, the players will respond with a much better rebounding performance, making Long Beach State scrap and claw for each rebound, but ultimately the Spartans will own the glass. Miles Bridges and Josh Langford will lead the scoring attack and Cassius Winston will dish another 10 assists while Jaren Jackson Jr. has his usual swat party with Nick Ward in the post. Yet another blowout win for the green and white against an inferior foe.

Final Score: Long Beach State 54, Michigan State 85

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