Michigan State Basketball: 3 keys to victory vs. Wisconsin in quarterfinals

Michigan State basketball plays Wisconsin in a tie-breaker game. The Spartans will try and advance to the semifinals but what are the keys to victory?

Michigan State basketball is in the quarterfinals to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. The Spartans have played been playing solidly over the last two games but it has been against a Maryland team that has struggled this season.

Now the Spartans have to take on a much tougher challenge in the Badgers.

With Gabe Brown and Max Christie getting out of their slumps, it bodes well for the Spartans. They will need other leaders to step up and get their jobs done as well. The Spartans have played Wisconsin twice this season and are 1-1. They both won on their opponents’ floor in big ways.

What do the Spartans need to do in this matchup in order to get the semifinals?

3. Control the paint

The Spartans need to control the paint and use their bodies to muscle their way into the key and also get their opponent out. Michigan State can beat the Badgers if it wins the battle in the paint. In the first meeting between these two, the Spartans controlled the paint. However, they did so without the Badgers’ best big in Tyler Wahl.

Wahl came back in the second game and that was the difference. He came into the second meeting and he controlled the block with ease. He only had 11 points but he was able to snag five rebounds and just helped Wisconsin spread the floor to give Johnny Davis more room to operate.

Michigan State has to control the paint and get physical down low if they want to win this game. Wall off Davis when he drives and do not let him get easy buckets. Contain Wahl and Crowl and don’t let them get going.