3 reasons Michigan State basketball will bounce back to beat Michigan

From left, Michigan State's Julius Marble II, Gabe Brown, Tyson Walker, Max Christie and Malik Hall look on during a break in the action against Northwestern in the second half on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220115 Msu Northwestern 131a
From left, Michigan State's Julius Marble II, Gabe Brown, Tyson Walker, Max Christie and Malik Hall look on during a break in the action against Northwestern in the second half on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220115 Msu Northwestern 131a /
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Michigan State forward Gabe Brown (44) celebrates a play against Northwestern during the second half at the Breslin Center in East Lansing on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022.
Michigan State forward Gabe Brown (44) celebrates a play against Northwestern during the second half at the Breslin Center in East Lansing on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. /

2. Gabe Brown, Max Christie will snap out of slumps

Two of Michigan State’s most important players have been struggling lately and it hasn’t been good for the offensive side of the ball.

Gabe Brown has struggled a bit to find his stroke since the Northwestern win in Evanston. He’s shooting just 35 percent from the floor and 26 percent from deep while averaging 10 points and five rebounds per game. He’s just not the same player he had been before the calendar turned to January outside of a couple of games.

Max Christie has really been going through it over the past few games, averaging 6.7 points and five rebounds per game in the last three. In that stretch, he’s also shooting just 30 percent from the floor and 20 percent from 3-point range.

The Spartans need these two to break out of their slumps and an intense battle with Michigan will bring out the best in the two stars.