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Michigan State basketball faces first true Big Ten test vs. Michigan

By Connor Muldowney

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball while being guarded by Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half during the championship game of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball while being guarded by Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half during the championship game of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball is coming off its toughest Big Ten battle of the year, but Michigan will be the first true test for the Spartans in conference play.

It’s officially hate week(end) as Michigan State hosts Michigan for a massive in-state battle for a spot at the top of the Big Ten standings.

Michigan State is coming off a 20-point win over Illinois while Michigan has been off since Dec. 29 when it beat UMass Lowell by 26 points. The Wolverines have been solid in their first season under Juwan Howard and he’s been an excellent recruiter for the program as well. Not only does he fit well with what Michigan is trying to do on the court, but fans love him already — starting your career 10-3 with wins over Gonzaga and North Carolina will help.

There’s some uncertainty heading into Sunday afternoon’s game as recently-injured Isaiah Livers, Michigan’s leading scorer, was expected to be out but has been listed as questionable. If he plays, that makes this test for Michigan State even tougher, but it’ll be better for fans of both teams — you always want to see your team play another at full-strength.

Michigan State just got Cassius Winston back after he missed the Western Michigan game and Rocket Watts has now played in two straight games after missing four.

Sunday’s game should be an absolute classic between the top-15 rivals.

Date: Sunday, Jan. 5
Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Venue: Breslin Center
TV: CBS
Live Stream: CBS Sports Live

Keys to Victory

On the offensive end, the Spartans need to continue doing what they’ve been doing in this recent six-game winning streak. They need to continue with the impressive ball movement and keep the turnovers at a minimum. When Michigan State is working the ball around, it’s extremely difficult to beat. Sure, shooting at a high percentage will help matters, but that will usually happen when the ball is moved around enough to find the open man.

Defensively, Michigan State must first do to Jon Teske what they did to Kofi Cockburn and then also make sure guys like Eli Brooks, Franz Wagner and Livers (if healthy) are held in check around the 3-point line. Zavier Simpson can hit the occasional jumper, but he makes his living driving to the bucket and finishing or dishing to an open man.

3 takeaways from Michigan State's win over Illinois. dark. Next

Prediction

Even if Livers doesn’t play, this one is going to be close. Michigan and Michigan State always seem to play each other tough and the Wolverines from last year’s team remember going 0-3 against the Spartans — never a good feeling. Revenge will be on their minds, but Michigan State gets the home-court advantage which may be all this team needs. Tom Izzo takes this game personally and Sunday will be no different. Cassius will have another one of his classic games and Xavier Tillman will piece together a second straight gem.

Final Score: Michigan 71, Michigan State 75

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