Michigan State Basketball: 3 keys to victory against No. 4 Purdue

1. Get back to Michigan State basketball with toughness

Michigan State has to flex its muscles and show its toughness early and often throughout the game.

There have been so many games this season that the Spartans have not shown toughness. They have not boxed out and been beaten on the glass multiple games. Even though they were not beaten on the offensive boards against Iowa, they surrendered 10 offensive rebounds, leading to a disastrous loss.

The Spartans have also not been hustling for those loose ball situations. They are all standing around and watching their opponent track down a 50-50 ball instead of diving and being the first one to track it down. These 50-50 balls are so important and if they can track them down it will help both their offense and their defense.

Michigan State also has been weak on the block. Marcus Bingham has been solid on the defensive side but on the offensive end of the court, the Spartans have been terrible. They are letting the defenders push them off the block and they give up their position so much. They need to use their body, get low, and show the defenders that they will not be pushed around.

The Michigan State Spartans have to show their toughness and they need to come out fighting from the very beginning if they want to have a chance in winning this game.