Michigan State Basketball: Guide to victory over Michigan for Big Ten title

Beating Michigan for a second time, finishing the sweep, won’t be easy, but what does Michigan State basketball need to do to come out on top?

There is another huge game on the line coming on Saturday. Hosted by Michigan State, the Wolverines from Ann Arbor will travel up to East Lansing to play one of the biggest games of this year and of this rivalry.

This game is for all of the marbles. Great matchups, great defenses, two top-10 teams and the winner of this game will hoist the Big Ten trophy. What does Michigan State have to do in order to ensure its seniors one last home-court kissing victory?

Control the Interior

MSU has to control the interior if they want to take away this victory and beat their rivals for a second time this season. Xavier Tillman will need to keep Jon Teske away from the basket and not let him get any open looks. He can hit those mid range and deep jumpers and if Tillman makes Teske settle for those jump shots that is exactly what the Spartans want to see.

Settling for jump shots is the reason why Michigan State was able to run away with the road victory in the first meeting two weeks ago.

In the second half no one was getting the ball down low to Teske and instead they were settling. If he gets in a groove then MSU will have to look out. He’s a great defender as well and if he can get rolling on one side of the ball that will translate into him rolling on the other end of the court as well — MSU cannot let that happen. It will need to control the interior and win the rebound battle.

Turnovers

The Spartans need to be careful with the ball. MSU had an awful time keeping the ball under control in the first half of the Nebraska game — it had eight turnovers in the first half alone. Thankfully Nebraska was not shooting the ball and MSU did not get punished for these sloppy mistakes.

Don’t think this same thing will happen against a top-10 Michigan team. These Wolverines are out for blood, looking for payback, and if the Spartans are not careful with the ball that is exactly what the Wolverines will give them. Michigan State doesn’t need any huge flashy plays unless it’s there; no forcing alley-oops or making boneheaded passes. Smart play will let them take control of this game and win at home.

Winston vs. Simpson Round 2

Who will win the battle of the point guards will also determine who wins this game. Cassius Winston who is playing his best ball while a Spartan, potentially being the Big Ten Player of the Year has to have pesky defender Zavier Simpson, who is potentially the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, guard him.

Winston got the best of Simpson in round one but will he be able to do it again?

Simpson has had Winston’s number on more than one occasion. In that first matchup, Simpson still had great defense but Winston won with the better offense and his ability to drive and make those acrobatic shots to win. He also did not have many turnovers and had a ton of assist with his vision and seeing all of his teammates and setting them up for success. That is the Winston that Michigan State will need in order to win this season finale game.

If Michigan State can do all of these things, it should be able to win the season finale for a Big Ten title. This will give the two seniors, Matt McQuaid and Kenny Goins even more of a reason to get down on the floor and kiss the Spartan logo on their last home game of their careers.