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Michigan State Basketball: 3 keys to victory over slumping Maryland

By Nate Rhoades

Feb 28, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) makes a move to the basket in-between Maryland Terrapins forward Galin Smith (left) forward Jairus Hamilton (25) and guard Eric Ayala (5) during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) makes a move to the basket in-between Maryland Terrapins forward Galin Smith (left) forward Jairus Hamilton (25) and guard Eric Ayala (5) during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Joey Hauser (20) fouls Maryland Terrapins guard Eric Ayala (5) in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Joey Hauser (20) fouls Maryland Terrapins guard Eric Ayala (5) in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Contain Eric Ayala

Michigan State’s defense has been solid all season. However, they have let some players just go completely off on them. They let Hunter Dickinson score 25 points and grab a plethora of offensive boards on Sunday. They have let Ochai Agbaji go off in the home opener.

They cannot afford to let Eric Ayala get going.

Last season the Spartans could not contain Ayala well he averaged 21.5 points in the teams’ two meetings. This year, he is Maryland’s leader and they will certainly look for his number. If Ayala is not shooting well (he is shooting 36 percent from deep this season), he can put the ball down and take it to the basket to get a foul.

This will hurt the Spartans. He knows how to use his body and pick up lots of fouls and he makes them consistently. He can put the Spartans in foul trouble if they are not careful, it’ll make an upset even more likely.

Containing Ayala and not letting him get going will be the top priority for Gabe Brown and Max Christie.

If the Spartans can successfully do these three things, MSU should have another double-digit win on its hands. If however, they do not focus on Ayala or rebounding, this game will be another nailbiter and it will show the rest of the Big Ten that they cannot be commanding in games they should win heavily.

Next. 3 takeaways from MSU's blowout of Michigan. dark

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