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Michigan State Basketball: Preview, prediction vs. Savannah State

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 18: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Houston Baptist Huskies at the Jack T. Breslin Student Events Center on December 18, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 18: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Houston Baptist Huskies at the Jack T. Breslin Student Events Center on December 18, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State is playing its second game in three days with Savannah State coming to town on Sunday. Here’s what you need to know.

A year ago, Michigan State needed until February to earn its 14th win of the season. The Spartans have a chance to earn win No. 14 by the end of December with a victory over Savannah State on Sunday afternoon.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout of Cleveland State

Michigan State is hoping to close 2017 out strong with a victory over the Tigers of Savannah State who have just a 3-11 record. The Spartans are coming off three straight 100-point performances, something that hasn’t been done since November 2004. On top of that, Michigan State has won those games by 40-plus points each.

Savannah State might not present the toughest matchup for the Spartans, but the Tigers are known for shooting plenty of 3-pointers — something the Spartans have struggled to defend against.

Here’s how you can watch Sunday’s game:

Date: Sunday, Dec. 31
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Venue: Breslin Center
TV: Big Ten Network
Live Stream: BTN2Go

Keys to Victory

Since this game should be an easy win for Michigan State, the keys to victory won’t be so much on what the Spartans need to do to win, but rather what needs to be cleaned up heading into Big Ten play. Izzo said that 3-point defense, spacing and turnovers needs to be corrected. This is a good opportunity to work on those three areas.

Savannah State shoots an absurd amount of 3-pointers per game — nearly 40 — and the Tigers also have a poor defense. The Spartans could correct that turnover issue against a porous defense with quick, accurate passes and smart decisions and defending the 3-point line shouldn’t be an issue because the Tigers can’t do much else.

Savannah State players to watch

Defense isn’t exactly in the vocabulary for Savannah State. The Tigers allow nearly 97 points per game which is dead-last in college basketball. They haven’t been able to keep many opponents under 100 points. In fact, six of the last eight have broken that plateau. Which players should we be watching for, though?

  • Dexter McClanahan — 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals
  • Alante Fenner — 10.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals
  • Austin Dasent — 9.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 38% 3-point shooting
  • Zach Sellers — 8.9 points, 3.6 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 35% 3-point shooting

Michigan State should have no problem scoring at will against this team, but can the Spartans stop their 3-point shooting barrage?

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

Prediction

Savannah State has given up 100-plus points to eight of its 14 opponents this season and Michigan State may be the best offense the Tigers have seen yet. They can put up points, and they will from behind the 3-point line, but Michigan State is going to score at will. The Spartans scored 111 against Cleveland State and there’s a chance that number could be topped, but I’ll aim for the lower end. Miles Bridges and Josh Langford will go off again while Nick Ward is nearly perfect from the floor yet again.

Final Score: Savannah State 63, Michigan State 104

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