Tom Izzo is ready for another installment of the rivalry, and Michigan State basketball fans are, too. This is the most anticipated game between these two teams in years as Michigan is finally relevant again and Michigan State is in a position to contend for a Big Ten title for the first time since Cassius Winston.
A lot is on the line heading into Friday night's battle, including first place in the Big Ten.
What must Michigan State do in Ann Arbor in order to come away with a big win?
1. Force turnovers
Michigan ranks 335th in college basketball in turnovers per game. That means they cough the ball up nearly 15 times per game which is just not a sustainable number if you want to be competing for Big Ten titles and national championships, but somehow, someway, Michigan is still in the driver's seat in the conference title race.
That needs to change on Friday.
Michigan State needs to play a scrappy brand of basketball that Tre Holloman, Jase Richardson, Carson Cooper, Jaxon Kohler, Jeremy Fears, Coen Carr, and Jaden Akins know how to play. They need to be active in passing lanes, force Michigan into some uncomfortable situations and kind of dare the Wolverines to beat them from deep. Force turnovers and win the game.
2. Attack the bigs
How was Michigan State able to beat Illinois the first time in East Lansing? The Spartans got Kasparas Jakucionis in foul trouble and he was neutralized in that game. The same needs to be done to one -- or both -- of Michigan's impressive bigs.
Go at Danny Wolf or Vlad Goldin and get them to two fouls before the under-12 timeout and see how much easier the game comes to them with just one of the bigs on the floor. Heck, get both into some foul trouble. Attack them whenever you get an opportunity, even if your plan is to just dish it out for an open shot. Make them think they have to make the plays.
If they feel the pressure, they will get into some early foul trouble and play timid the rest of the way. That's a big if though.
3. Get out and run
When is Michigan State at its best? When it gets out and runs. The Spartans are third in the country in terms of fast-break points at 17.12 per game, trailing just Milwaukee and New Mexico in college basketball. That needs to be a point of emphasis for the offense once again.
If Michigan State can get a rebound or after a made Michigan basket and immediately get up the floor to score, that will force the Wolverines into exerting a ton of energy just to slow the Spartans down and that will take effect later in the game when it's important to have fresh legs. Michigan State's depth will also help in this regard.
But if Michigan State wants to win, it needs to dominate the fast break.