Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for road battle at Florida

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots against Jericho Sims #20 of the Texas Longhorns during the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Michigan State defeated Texas 78-68. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 06: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

4. Michigan State has 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio

Michigan State has been strong with the ball in its hands over the past two games as both Rutgers and Iowa were unable to force a plethora of turnovers by the Spartans who were averaging about 12 per game.

Being smarter with the ball and valuing each possession is something Tom Izzo has been stressing lately, and it seems to be paying off. Cassius Winston played his best game of the season against Iowa, even when he wasn’t shooting well, as he dished 12 assists to just one turnover. He is the catalyst on offense and the Spartans go as he does.

Florida has one of the best defenses from the SEC, averaging 9.5 steals per game, which is actually a staggering number. That will change on Saturday afternoon as the Spartans will protect the ball and feed Nick Ward deep in the post and work through him.

A 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio will benefit the Spartans on the road against the Gators who need a strong defensive effort to five them a chance in this one.

Michigan State will dish 21 assists to only seven turnovers. This is a trend Izzo would like to see continue.

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