Michigan State Basketball: 3 keys to victory against slumping Ohio State

2 of 3

Mar 1, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Figure out defensive shortcomings

The Spartans will be playing another team with a player who is in the National Player of the Year talks in EJ Liddell. He is averaging 19.6 points per game with 7.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He is doing all of this while shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor.

Liddell can score in a variety of different ways. He can beat you to the basket, he can hit a turnaround jumper, and he can shoot the deep shot. Michigan State has to be aware of all of this and play Liddell tight.

The Spartans cannot give EJ room to operate. If the Spartans defend Liddell like they did against Keegan Murray or Hunter Dickinson, this will be another long night.

Joey Hauser and Malik Hall will have their hands full with Liddell but they need to be on his hip. They can even think about giving Liddell a couple of hard fouls to begin the game and throw him off his game. What the Spartans have to do is make Liddell uncomfortable. If they can do this, they will be able to pull off the upset win.

Home/Spartans Basketball