Michigan State Basketball: 3 keys to victory vs. Davidson in first round

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 12: Julius Marble II #34 and the Michigan State Spartans celebrate a three pointer by Max Christie #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in the game against the Purdue Boilermakers during the Big Ten Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 12, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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Mar 11, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Brad Davison (34) shoots the ball while Michigan State Spartans guard Max Christie (5) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Guard the deep shots

The Spartans are going to need to play tight defense in this game. They are gong up against the 7th ranked 3 point shooting team in the nation. Davidson is shooting the deep ball with a 38% accuracy. The Spartans cannot let this be the case again on Friday.

With Bingham in the paint guard the shot bunnies at a high rate this year. The guards and the rest of the defense need to step out and not let them get open looks. Davidson has four players shooting above 40% percent They have eight players playing an average of 28 minutes or more and all but two of them is shooting above 35 percent.

This can be difficult because it is not just a couple of players the Spartans have to key in on around the perimeter, it is all five players on the court at once.

Foster Loyer who Michigan State knows well, as he was once a Spartan, is the best shooter on the team and scores the most points. They cannot let him get going early. Same with Brajkovic, and Jones, and Lee. Those are the players who are scoring in double figures and the Spartans cannot let them do this again. If they do it will be another Big Ten team going down to an A-10 team.

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