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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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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles up the court and draws a foul from Geo Baker #0 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second half at Breslin Center on February 20, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles up the court and draws a foul from Geo Baker #0 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second half at Breslin Center on February 20, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

3. Get out and run — and run often

It’s no secret that when Michigan State plays its own style of run-and-run basketball, it’s difficult to defend, keep up with and defeat. When the Spartans force the tempo to increase on opponents with fast break-heavy play, they usually wear them out and coast to victories.

No one will be coasting to a victory on Sunday afternoon, though, as the Wolverines and Spartans are fierce rivals who don’t often ‘comfortably’ beat each other — although the last three meetings have been convincing wins for Michigan by double-digits.

Michigan State wants to make Michigan run and to do that, they need to push the ball after each board, meaning Xavier Tillman will have to assume the role of Nick Ward by getting down the middle of the floor in a hurry — Thomas Kithier, too, needs to do this and he’s shown that he can.

By increasing the tempo and running the floor to score quick baskets, the Spartans will tire the Wolverines out and force them to get into an uncomfortable style of play that’s not their own. They’re used to setting up the half-court offense and working from there, and that’s where Michigan State has struggled without Josh Langford and Nick Ward.

The easiest baskets are going to come on the fast-break for MSU.

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