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Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions at Indiana in Week 12

By Connor Muldowney

BLOOMINGTON, IN - MARCH 02: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball against Rob Phinisee #10 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on March 2, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - MARCH 02: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball against Rob Phinisee #10 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on March 2, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – DECEMBER 13: Trayce Jackson-Davis #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers looks to pass the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on December 13, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – DECEMBER 13: Trayce Jackson-Davis #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers looks to pass the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on December 13, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. Tillman, Bingham Jr. hold Trayce Jackson-Davis in check

Tom Izzo recruited Trayce Jackson-Davis heavily out of high school. The Spartans actually looked like one of the top contenders to land the four-star center who was one of the top 30 recruits in the entire 2019 class, but he decided to play for the home-state Hoosiers.

Though the first half-plus of his freshman season, Jackson-Davis is impressing, averaging 14.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while shooting 63 percent from the field. Even more impressively, he’s averaging 16.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and shooting 67 percent from the field at Assembly Hall.

The Spartans must find a way to contain him.

Unlike the last big man Izzo recruited heavily, went elsewhere and faced the Spartans this season (Vernon Carey Jr.), Jackson-Davis will be held in check by Michigan State’s post players.

Xavier Tillman and Marcus Bingham Jr. will combine to shut Indiana’s best player down and force the rest of the offense to figure out a way to score. The Hoosiers aren’t the best shooting team, either, so this almost needs to happen if Michigan State is going to win.

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