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Michigan State Basketball: 5 keys to beating No. 7 Michigan on the road

By Connor Muldowney

MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 12: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on February 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 12: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on February 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Beating Michigan won’t be easy, but if Michigan State basketball wants to pull off a tough win on Sunday, it’ll need to follow these five keys.

It’s hard to believe Michigan State has lost three straight to in-state rival Michigan in hoops, especially with the amount of talent Tom Izzo has brought to the team over the past couple of years. However, the Wolverines have had the Spartans’ number and Michigan State is hoping to change that on Sunday afternoon.

It won’t be easy, though.

Michigan is playing some of the best defense in the Big Ten, which it has all season long, and the Spartans have just lost Nick Ward for the foreseeable future and Kyle Ahrens is questionable, too.

Winning is possible, but it’ll take a near-perfect game in all facets for the Spartans to head back to East Lansing with a victory.

Here’s what the Spartans must do in order to beat Michigan on Sunday.

5. Hold the advantage in second-chance points

One of the most underrated stats in college basketball has to be second-chance points. When the Spartans lose that second-chance points battle, it’s usually ugly — Indiana seemed to win all the 50-50 balls and take it to the Spartans in East Lansing, winning the hustle points.

Michigan State must keep Michigan off the offensive glass and force the Wolverines to earn every basket and rebound. The Spartans showed they have the capability to do that without Nick Ward, out-rebounding one of the biggest teams — size-wise — in the Big Ten in Rutgers, 45-31.

Boxing out, getting good position and sneaking in for offensive rebounds of their own will be major in this top-10 battle. If Michigan State can win the second-chance points battle, this one could go in the Spartans’ favor.

If Michigan grabs more offensive boards and capitalizes, well, you can probably mark this down as a loss.

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