Michigan State basketball aiming to earn resume-building win at Ohio State

Through three Big Ten games, Michigan State basketball has three double-digit victories. Can the Spartans build that resume at Ohio State?

The trip to Columbus a year ago was not so kind to the Spartans. Michigan State was 15-1 and flying high thanks to a 3-0 start to conference play, but the Buckeyes humbled the Spartans, beating them 80-64 in a surprising upset as Chris Holtmann put Ohio State back on the college basketball map.

The feeling is different this year solely because the Buckeyes are no longer a heavy underdog and an upset wouldn’t be out of the ordinary.

In fact, Ohio State is 12-1 overall and ranked 14th in the country. Some could argue that this team is even underrated and there wouldn’t be much of an argument on a national level. Holtmann once again has his team living up to its potential and even exceeding it, looking like a serious threat to the Spartans’ crown.

Fortunately, Michigan State will get two shots at revenge this season with a home game against Ohio State in February. Hopefully, though, this team won’t need another shot at revenge next month as the Spartans would much rather accomplish that on Saturday.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s big battle in Columbus:

Date: Saturday, Jan. 5
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Venue: Value City Arena
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go or FuboTV

Keys to Victory

Offensively, this team needs to continue doing what it does best, and that’s run the fast-break early and often. Cassius Winston needs to get out and run which will wear down the Buckeyes and put MSU close to its average of 87 points per game. The Buckeyes are a solid defensive team and the one thing that could change that is a run-and-gun team which could challenge their depth. The Spartans must get out and run.

The battle between Kaleb Wesson and Nick Ward in the post is going to be a legendary one, and it’s one that the latter must win if the Spartans are going to leave Columbus with a 4-0 Big Ten record. Ward needs to body Wesson often without getting in foul trouble because, well, he hasn’t quite been challenged by a fellow big this season. If Ward can keep Wesson to under 15 points, the Spartans will be in good shape.

Players to Watch

Ohio State isn’t the deepest team in the conference as six players average over 20 minutes per game and two more are over 10 minutes. This team has just two double-digit scorers, but most of the 20-minute contributors average at least 7.5 points. Who should the Spartans be watching for?

• Kaleb Wesson: 16.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 54% FG
• C.J. Jackson: 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 42% FG, 41% 3-point
• Luther Muhammad: 9.3 points, 1.1 steals, 48% FG, 43% 3-point

Prediction

Michigan State has three double-digit Big Ten wins to its name, but that’s going to change on Saturday as the Buckeyes will provide the toughest test to the Spartans in weeks. It’ll be tough to go to Columbus and steal a win from a red-hot Ohio State team, but Michigan State is playing some of the best basketball of any team in the country, riding a seven-game winning streak. Michigan State’s run-and-gun style will wear the Buckeyes down late and a comeback effort will be successful for the green and white thanks to some big shots from Winston, including a 3-pointer in the final minute to put the Spartans up for good.

Final Score: Michigan State 77, Ohio State 75