Michigan State Basketball: Preview, prediction vs. Wisconsin in Week 12
Michigan State basketball is set to host the struggling Wisconsin Badgers on Friday night and here’s everything you need to know.
It’s hard to even think about basketball being played on Friday after what has happened with the Larry Nassar case and Lou Anna K. Simon’s resignation, but Michigan State is set to host Wisconsin, attempting to free everyone’s minds, if not for a couple of hours.
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Tom Izzo wasn’t happy with all the turnovers his Spartans had against Illinois on Monday despite a 13-point road win, but Friday will be the perfect opportunity to see if things have been worked on. Will there be more sloppy play against Wisconsin?
The Badgers, on the other hand, come into this game having arguably their worst season in over two decades. Not often has Michigan State faced a Wisconsin team with a losing record, but that’s where the Badgers sit right now at 10-11 overall. The Badgers have broken 70 points just once in five games, going 1-4 during that horrid stretch.
Although Wisconsin is having an down year, the Badgers always seem to play the Spartans tough. Will that be any different on Friday?
Here’s how you can watch Friday night’s Michigan State vs. Wisconsin game:
Date: Friday, Jan. 26
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Venue: Breslin Center
TV: FOX Sports 1
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go
Keys to victory
There’s really only one defensive key I can think of for the Spartans against an offense that averages a lackluster 68 points per game, and that’s stop Ethan Happ. The junior big man is the Badgers’ top, and sometimes only, offensive weapon, averaging 16.9 points per game. If Nick Ward and Jaren Jackson Jr. can shut him down, the Badgers will be in for a long game.
On offense, good guard play will do the trick. Cassius Winston and Josh Langford struggled a bit against Illinois — although Langford was more quiet than struggling. That led to some turnover problems. Tum Tum Nairn came off the bench and turned the ball over four times as well, keeping the game closer than it should have been. Cutting those turnovers with good guard play will be important. Oh, and attacking Happ and getting him into foul trouble can’t hurt.
Wisconsin players to watch
The Badgers are averaging just 68 points per game while shooting 46 percent from the floor and 34 percent from 3-point range. Greg Gard and the Badgers are searching for answers after a horrid start, but outside of Happ, the team looks relatively helpless.
- Ethan Happ — 16.9 points, 8.6 points, 3.8 assists, 56% FG shooting
- Brad Davison — 11.8 points, 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals, 38% 3-point shooting
- Brevin Pritzl — 8.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 40% FG shooting
- Khalil Iverson — 8.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 55% FG shooting
- Aleem Ford — 5.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 47% 3-point shooting
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Prediction
There’s good news and bad news heading into Friday’s contest. The good news is Miles Bridges is back and playing like his old self. The bad news is Cassius Winston is coming off his worst game this season. Both will have solid games against Wisconsin, though. Nick Ward will get Ethan Happ into some foul trouble while picking up a double-double of his own. The Spartans will shoot 55 percent from the floor and 45 percent from 3-point range while holding the Badgers to under 70 points again.
Final Score: Wisconsin 61, Michigan State 84
Note: The student section is wearing teal to show support for the Larry Nassar victims.