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Michigan State Basketball: 3 matchups to watch against No. 5 Illinois

By Nate Rhoades

Feb 20, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Aaron Henry (0) drives against Indiana Hoosiers forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) and forward Race Thompson (25) in the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Aaron Henry (0) drives against Indiana Hoosiers forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) and forward Race Thompson (25) in the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Three matchup to look out for in this important game for both teams. Can Michigan State basketball continue to rise or will they crack under the pressure?

Michigan State is back in East Lansing tonight to take on the Illinois Illini for the first time this season. This has been a roller coaster ride for the Spartan fans this season but with the win against Indiana it has given new life and hope to these Spartans. If they can pull off a major win and get the upset tonight then things can be turning around and their post season will remain alive.

This is the first time these two teams have played each other this season but there will be a lot to look for during the game. Who will win the match up battle will be huge in deciding who will come away with the win tonight. Lets take a look at three matchups that could be the difference makers in the game.

3. Ayo Dosunmu vs. Aaron Henry

Ayo Dosunmu is most definately the leader of this Illini team. He is having a great year 21 points and 5 assists per game this year. While Henry is starting to become that on court leader Izzo has wanted from Day 1. Henry is the best defender on this Spartan squad and he is playing smart basketball on the offensive end of the court as of late as well. Henry is averaging 15 points with 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season. Who will have the better game in this one. Will Henry be able to contain Dosunmu or will Dosunmu catch fire early and have his way with this rocky Spartan team? Whoever wins this battle could be the difference in this game.

2. Kofi Cockburn vs. revolving door of Spartan bigs

Kofi Cockburn has also had a great year to go along with Dosunmu’s year. He is a force to be reckoned with in the post and people struggle to stop him when he gets going early. Cockburn can do a little bit of it all. He can score and rebound, but he can also defend and be a huge rim protector with 1.5 blocks per game. Kofi will be facing a revolving door of Spartans.

The Spartans have been playing a plethora of guys in the post this season. The guy who has been able to defend these big name post guys lately though has been Thomas Kithier. Sissoko, Marble, Bingham, Hall, and Hauser could show looks at Cockburn but look for Kithier to be the go to defender in this game against Kofi.

In the Spartans’ last game against the Hoosiers, Trayce Jackson-Davis was having his way with the Spartans until Kithier entered the game. Kithier would not back down and would fight Jackson-Davis off the block to make it tougher on the big to get comfortable down low. Look for this same thing to happen in tonight against when Kithier takes on Cockburn. It will be a fun and intriguing match up to watch be sure to look for who can be the dominate force down low.

1. Michigan State bench vs Illinois starters

Michigan State all season long as seen a deep bench. In most games this season there has been at least 10 players who have made an appearance in games.

The keys for the Spartans are how their bench players can perform against the high profile starters against the Illini since the Illini rely heavily on their starters.

With Gabe Brown, Joey Hauser, and Rocket Watts all coming off the bench in their last game, will they be able to get going off the bench and add to the scoring the Spartans will so desperately need in this game. If Gabe Brown cannot find his shot and Hauser cannot find a way out of his slump this could be a very long night for the Spartans. Watts has yet to get going all season and this is the around the time last year we saw what he really could do with the ball in his hands.

Could tonight be the night we see the return of the old Watts? The Spartans will need their bench to step up in a big way if they want to find the upset in East Lansing tonight.

This is a huge game for the both of these teams. If Illinois can go ahead and win then they will be tied for first place in conference. If Michigan State can play with the intensity and grit that most Izzo led programs play with and get the upset tonight then they will keep their post season chances alive and give them more confidence for their next game which will be another huge matchup against another top 10 team.

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