Michigan State Basketball: 3 keys to victory against unbeaten Butler

Michigan State basketball had a dominant performance in its first game in Breslin Center of the 2021-22 season. The Spartans will look to keep things rolling as they take on the Butler Bulldogs on Wednesday, Nov. 17.

There were a lot of good takeaways against Western Michigan but can they keep the momentum rolling and take down the rising Bulldogs?

Here are a few keys to victory if the Spartans want to pull this one off.

3. Locking down the Butler guards

In Michigan State’s last contest against the Broncos, it started out very sloppy. The guards looked confused and were leaving the opposing team wide open for clean 3-point shots. They will need to do something different in this contest.

The Bulldogs are run by their three leading scorers: Chuck Harris, Jair Bolden, and Jayden Taylor. These three guards all average in double figures in scoring. They can shoot if you leave them open or even give them enough space or they can take it to the rim.

Harris is only a sophomore but he lives for big moments and shoots the three at a 40 percent clip. Bolden is a senior and in the first three games, he has shot the deep ball at an insane 58 percent. Taylor, however, is only a freshman. Even though he is a freshman, this kid is good. He is one of the best recruits coming out of Indiana and he can straight ball.

Michigan State has to stop these guys on the perimeter. If Tyson Walker, AJ Hoggard, and Gabe Brown can have quick hands and create some turnovers to get into transition, that would help immensely.

The Spartans need to contain these three players if they want any shot at winning this game.