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Michigan State Basketball: 3 things to know about first-round foe Davidson

By Connor Muldowney

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 05: Foster Loyer #0 of the Davidson Wildcats is introduced before a college basketball game against the George Washington Colonials at the Smith Center on February 5, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 05: Foster Loyer #0 of the Davidson Wildcats is introduced before a college basketball game against the George Washington Colonials at the Smith Center on February 5, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 13: Foster Loyer #0 of the Davidson Wildcats and Andre Gustavson #22 of the Richmond Spiders battle for a loose ball during the first half in the Championship game of the A10 Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 13, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 13: Foster Loyer #0 of the Davidson Wildcats and Andre Gustavson #22 of the Richmond Spiders battle for a loose ball during the first half in the Championship game of the A10 Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 13, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

1. Davidson is 11th in the nation in fewest turnovers

Not only does Davidson shoot lights out, but it also takes care of the basketball, averaging just 9.8 turnovers per game.

Should this be worrisome for the Spartans who have been known to cough the ball up a bit? Sure, but Michigan State is no stranger to facing teams ranked near the top of college basketball in fewest turnovers. The Spartans are actually 5-3 against teams ranked in the top 15 in that category, beating the nation’s second-cleanest team (Wisconsin) twice in three meetings.

Michigan State also beat Minnesota (No. 5) twice and Northwestern (No. 13) once. The Spartans lost to Iowa (No. 4), Wisconsin (No. 2), and Northwestern (No. 13) as well.

So it’s safe to say the Spartans are familiar with teams that don’t make many mistakes and luckily for them, they have been much better with the ball in recent games. In fact, the Spartans are coming off their best game, turnover-wise, in a couple of years, turning it over just four times against Purdue.

Protect the ball and exploit a potential mismatch at point with AJ Hoggard on Foster Loyer and the Spartans should reap the benefits.

Next. 3 bold predictions for MSU basketball in March. dark

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