3 Things to Watch: Michigan State Basketball takes on Illinois

Michigan State Basketball plays against Illinois at the State Farm Center in a Big Ten matchup. Here are three things to watch in this game.

Big Ten Conference basketball continues on as Michigan State takes on Illinois at the State Farm Center. The Spartans are currently 16-8 overall this year and 8-5 in Big Ten Conference play after a loss to Michigan. Illinois, on the other hand, is 16-7 overall and 8-4 in Big Ten Conference play.

Here are three things to watch in this game:

1. Ayo Dosunmu & Kofi Cockburn

Illinois boasts a lethal Guard/Center duo in Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn. Dosunmu scores 15.8 points per game which ranks him sixth in Big Ten points per game. Cockburn averages 13.8 points per game which ranks him 14th in Big Ten points per game. Both players score in bunches and contribute greatly to Illinois’ offense.

All in all, Illinois is currently fifth in Big Ten points per game as a team, averaging 73.8 points per game. Kofi Cockburn also grabs nine rebounds per game which ranks him sixth in the Big Ten in rebounds per game. Watch for an offensive battle between MSU and the fighting Illini.

2. Rebounding Battle

MSU and Illinois are two of the top three best rebounding teams in the Big Ten. The Spartans are first in rebounds per game and total rebounds with 41.4 and 995 respectively. Illinois is currently third in rebounds per game and total rebounds with 40.3 and 928 respectively. This game will be an absolute battle near the rim for each and every board. Xavier Tillman, Marcus Bingham Jr., & Malik Hall have serious work to do on the glass against the Fighting Illini.

3.  Illinois Turnovers

Michigan State and Illinois are also two of the top five Big Ten teams in turnovers per game. Illinois is fourth in the Big Ten with 12.78 in TOPG (turnovers per game). The Spartans rank fifth in TOPG with 12.54. MSU can potentially capitalize on this high turnover rate with easy transition buckets.

Michigan State and Illinois square off this Tuesday at 9 P.M. This game broadcasts live on ESPN. Stay locked on SpartansWire for more coverage to come.

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Michigan State Basketball ranked No. 13 in latest NCAA NET Rankings

Despite recent losses, MSU is still ranked in the top-15 of the new NET rankings.

This has been a frustrating part of the Michigan State Men’s Basketball season, with recent losses to Michigan, Indiana, Penn State, and Wisconsin, but the Spartans are still looked at favorably in the NCAA NET rankings. In games through February 8th, which includes yesterday’s loss to U of M, MSU is ranked at No. 13, just one spot below their previous ranking at No. 12.

The NET rankings have replaced the RPI as a tool for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Selection Committee to use to help select the NCAA Tournament seeding and field. The fact that the NET still looks at MSU so favorably makes a lot of sense, given that it just made them a 4-seed in the first tournament preview of the year.

Michigan State will face yet another big road test as they travel to Champaign, Illinois to face off against Illinois in a battle of two teams that are right at the top of the Big Ten standings.

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3 Key Takeaways: Michigan State Basketball loses to Michigan at Crisler Center

Michigan State Basketball suffered a loss at the hands of Michigan yesterday at the Crisler Center. Here are 3 key takeaways from this game.

Michigan State lost yesterday to Michigan at the Crisler Center, 77-68. The Spartans suffered from yet another slow start in a ruckus, away crowd atmosphere. As a result, MSU moves to 16-8 overall and 8-5 in Big Ten Conference play.

Here are three key takeaways from this game.

1. Slow Starts Haunt MSU

Michigan State scored no more than five points in the first ten minutes of this game. Yes, this is a real statistic. The Spartans can no longer start games in such a slow manner. Especially when playing a rivalry game in an intense away game situation. MSU needs to make changes and needs a big scoring spark early on in games.

2. Sophomore Slump

Right now, Michigan State’s sophomores are in a brutal slump. In particular, Gabe Brown and Aaron Henry are struggling mightily against Big Ten opponents. Brown and Henry combined for 11 total points. Brown went 0/5 from the floor for a total of zero points whereas Henry scored 11 points on 3/8 shooting from the floor. There is still time left in the season but both players must contribute higher point totals.

3. Let’s Not Panic Just Yet

As I mentioned earlier this week, the Big Ten boasts some serious depth. Not to mention that Michigan hit its stride at the right time, adding Isaiah Livers back to their lineup against MSU. Livers contributed a smooth 14 points on 5/10 shooting in his return against the Spartans. Let’s not panic just yet, Michigan State still has time to figure things out.

The Spartans face off against Illinois next on Feb. 11, this upcoming Tuesday. The game takes place at 9 P.M and broadcasts live on ESPN.

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Michigan State Basketball loses on the road to Michigan 77-68

The Spartans endured another Big Ten loss today against the Michigan Wolverines on the road.

The losses to that team in Ann Arbor always sting a little more. This was yet another  Big Ten game for MSU Basketball where they kept fighting from behind and never fully were out of the game, but just couldn’t get it done at the end of the day. Michigan State ultimately dropped this one against Michigan 77-68.

This was one of the worst shooting days of the season for MSU, and you can chalk most of this loss up to that issue. Gabe Brown was 0/5 on the day. Rocket Watts was 3/7. Julius Marble, Foster Loyer, and Marcus Bingham Jr. were a combined 0/6. Xavier Tillman stuffed the stat sheet but was also 0/3 from three.

Most damaging? Cassius Winston was 5/17 on the day. He did manage to go 7/7 at the line but this team is so reliant on Cassius Winston to play like the best player in the country to win basketball games. It’s a flaw of this team, who was expecting to have Joshua Langford next to Winston to carry a lot of the offensive workload.

This was Michigan’s first win over Michigan State since March 3rd, 2018. They were led by Isaiah Livers (14 points) and Zavier Simpson (16 points).

Michigan State will try to bounce back on the road against the new Big Ten leader Illinois on Tuesday, February 11.

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MSU Basketball: ESPN College GameDay coming to East Lansing for Maryland game next week

For the sixth time ever, Michigan State Men’s Basketball will host ESPN College GameDay for the Maryland game.

For the sixth time ever, ESPN College GameDay is coming to East Lansing. This time, they will be in town for MSU Basketball’s match-up against Maryland in the Breslin Center. The Spartans host the Terrapins next Saturday at 6pm ET.

Host Rece Davis along with Jay Bilas, Seth Greenberg, and LaPhonso Ellis will start their broadcast at 11am ET.

This is Michigan State’s sixth time hosting GameDay for basketball, which is the fifth most of any NCAA program. The Spartans have been featured on GameDay ten times overall.

This will be Maryland’s first appearance on GameDay since they lost to MSU back in 2016. Bryn Forbes had 25 points in that game, for those who recall his scoring outburst in that one.

The game will be shown on Saturday Primetime on ESPN. This is a premier Big Ten match-up between two top-15 teams in the country. Both teams were recently projected to be top-4 seeds in the NCAA Tournament by the Selection Committee.

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MSU Basketball a 4-seed in first official selection committee top-16 tournament preview

Michigan State narrowly made the cut for the top-16 in the NCAA Men’s Basketball selection committee’s first bracket preview.

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Selection Committee revealed a preview of their top-16 seeds in their tournament bracket if the season were to end today live on CBS on Saturday, and Michigan State just made the cut as the last 4-seed announced.

The Selection Committee placed them in the Midwest region with No. 1 Kansas, No. 2 Dayton, No. 3 Florida State, and then MSU at No. 4.

As of right now, these teams are No. 1 seeds in their regions:

  • Baylor
  • Kansas
  • San Diego State
  • Gonzaga

Michigan State is one of just two Big Ten teams to make the top-16, with Maryland listed as a No. 3 seed in the East Region. This isn’t exactly a shock, as the Big Ten has been filled with so much parity this year most teams have had a tough time keeping a solid record. I still expect the Big Ten to have a strong presence and showing in the tournament overall.

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No. 14 Michigan State Basketball vs. Michigan: Where to watch, listen, stream

Michigan State faces Michigan on the road on Saturday. Here is everything you need to know to follow along with the game.

Michigan State Men’s Basketball looks to rebound from a home loss to Penn State while Michigan looks to do the same after losing to Ohio State. The Spartans will have a tough test as they travel to Ann Arbor to face their in-state rivals, although they are slightly favored over the Wolverines.

Here is everything you need to know to watch, listen, or stream the game:

Match-up: No. 14 Michigan State (16-7) @ Michigan (13-9)

When: Saturday, February 8 at 12pm ET

Where: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan

TV: FOX

Online live stream: FOX Sports Go

Online radio broadcast: TuneIn

Radio: Complete list of Michigan State basketball radio affiliates.

Betting Odds: Michigan State -2

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Michigan State Basketball marginal favorites over Michigan on the road

The Spartans are currently listed as -2 favorites over Michigan in the Crisler Center on Saturday.

Michigan State Men’s Basketball travels to the Crisler Center on Saturday to face their long-time in-state rivals in the Michigan Wolverines. Despite a rough stretch that included a recent home loss to Penn State, MSU is slight favored against Michigan and currently listed at -2 against the Wolverines by oddsmakers.

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated 2/8/2020 at 12:42 a.m. ET.

The Spartans won their first match-up at home in East Lansing 87-69, and Michigan lost their last home game to the inconsistent Ohio State Buckeyes. That being said, every Big Ten road game this year has been a fight, and you can expect that to be the case here as well.

“Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.”

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Michigan State vs. Michigan round two statistical preview

Breaking down how Michigan State and Michigan matchup from a numbers perspective

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No. 16 Michigan State heads back on the road this Saturday in Ann Arbor (NOON, FOX) looking to avoid losing their third straight game in conference play. MSU has beaten Michigan four straight times and will need to make it five if they want to keep hopes of winning the Big Ten alive. For Michigan, a win against a ranked opponent would be huge for their NCAA Tournament hopes, as UofM has gone 3-9 in their last nine conference games and sit in 12th place in the nation’s toughest conference.

Let’s take a look at how these two teams match up from a statistical standpoint and where edges can perhaps be gleaned.

Advanced stats and ranks courtesy kenpom.com.

Overview

Michigan State: 16-7 overall, 8-4 Big Ten

-No. 9 in adjusted efficiency

-No. 16 in adjusted offense

-No. 19 in adjusted defense

-No. 104 in adjusted tempo

Michigan: 13-9 overall, 4-7 Big Ten

-No. 28 in adjusted efficiency

-No. 34 in adjusted offense

-No. 35 in adjusted defense

-No. 172 in adjusted tempo

As mentioned in the intro, Michigan has been spiraling in Big Ten play. The injury to wing Isaiah Livers has coincided with the struggles as Livers’ shooting was so important to the Michigan offense. Livers returned for a spell against Illinois two weeks ago before getting injured again. His status for this one is up in the air and certainly looms large. Also noteworthy is what is going on with Zavier Simpson right now. The senior point guard was suspended for one game last week for a violation of team rules. However, news broke on Thursday that Simpson was suspended for crashing a car registered to UofM Athletic Director Warde Manuel into a light pole just after 3:00 in the morning on January 26. Simpson also gave police a fake name and lied to them about the crash. It’s certainly a strange situation and UofM and Simpson are very fortunate to be playing in front of a friendly home crowd in this one. Michigan is desperately in need of a big win, both in the rivalry and for their season. They’ve plummeted from a potential top seed in the NCAA Tournament to fighting to stay on the bubble. I expect their effort to be off the charts in this one.

Let’s dive into some specifics.

A note: Four factors is something you will see in these posts a lot. They are four statistical categories that heavily dictate good basketball vs. bad basketball. They are: effective field goal %, turnover %, offensive rebounding %, free throw rate (FTA/FGA). If a team is good at these four things, they are good at basketball.

When Michigan State has the ball

Michigan State Offense four factors: No. 59 in eFG% (effective field goal), No. 116 in turnover %, No. 30 in Oreb%, No. 191 in free throw rate

Michigan defense four factors: No. 76 eFG% against, No. 318 in turnover %, No. 108 in Oreb%, No. 47 in FTR

The two biggest stories here are Michigan State’s inability to protect the ball and get to the free throw line. MSU’s turnover percentage and free throw rates have plummeted in the last month and that’s the biggest reason the offense has sputtered. Cassius Winston’s free throw rate is down a full 20 percentage points when comparing his conference games this season to last. That is an insane drop. I’m not sure if he’s just not getting calls this year, or what the case is. But that has been killing MSU. And the turnovers have been brutal in nearly every game. Aaron Henry is turning is over on a quarter of his possessions. That has to get cleaned up. Fortunately, Michigan doesn’t force many turnovers, but that doesn’t really help, because many of MSU’s turnovers are unforced. The Wolverines struggle on the defensive glass and that’s probably Michigan State’s biggest advantage. Xavier Tillman and other MSU bigs are going to need to have a field day with offensive rebounds, especially if MSU is sloppy with the ball.

When Michigan has the ball

Michigan offensive four factors: No. 38 in eFG%, No. 30 in turnover %, No. 251 in Oreb%, No. 327 in FTR

Michigan State defensive four factors: No. 4 in eFG% against, No. 324 in turnover %, No. 53 in Oreb% against, No. 84 in FTR

Michigan State has really improved on defense the last month. They’re one of the best teams in the country at making their opponents miss and have done a really good job on the defensive glass. Michigan doesn’t have much offensive rebounding outside of Jon Teske and Brandon Johns, so it’ll be important to do a good job boxing them out and making sure Michigan only gets one shot each possession. The Wolverines aren’t going to turn it over and MSU notoriously doesn’t force turnovers. Statistically it doesn’t look like Michigan will be getting to the free throw line much in this game, but that can always be fickle in one-game sample sizes. Flatly, Michigan is going to have to hit some shots to win. What a piece of analysis that is, right? Obviously they’ll have to hit shots, but what I really mean is they’re going to have to shoot it really well. They won’t be manufacturing ugly points on the glass or at the line, so they’re going to have to hit some threes. They’ll have to be efficient in the post as well, running through Teske. Unfortunately for them, MSU has one of the best post defenders in the country in Tillman.

Other key numbers

Even if Livers sits, Michigan is going to hoist a lot of threes. 40% of their shots this season have come from beyond the arc and that would be even higher if Livers hadn’t missed half of the season. Eli Brooks is the most trigger happy of the group and is shooting 38% on the year. He took ten threes against Nebraska three games ago.

As a team Michigan is 110th in the country from deep, shooting 34.5%. They’ve got a couple of solid shooters, a couple of bad shooters and a bunch of guys who oscillate in-between. Michigan needs some of those oscillators to have good shooting days.

Michigan State is the best team in the country at assists per field goal made and Michigan is the fourth-best team in the country at preventing assists per field goal made. Last time out Michigan State assisted on 57% of their field goals, which is 11% lower than their season average. That’s because Cassius Winston scored a career high 32 points and MSU had only seven non-Cassius assists.

Jon Teske and Brandon Johns rank 358th and 375th nationally in offensive rebound rate, respectively. Neither of them are elite on the offensive glass, but both are capable. Teske is the only Wolverine nationally ranked on the defensive glass at 203rd.

Zavier Simpson’s play making has been great this year. He ranks 4th in assist rate in the country. Slowing him down in the pick and roll will be especially important as he can break defenses down with a screen and get his teammates quality looks.

Conclusion

Michigan State is the better team, but Michigan is in a more advantageous spot. The Wolverines are more desperate and are playing a hated rival at home. This is the type of game where MSU cannot afford a slow start. If there’s something that can focus the Spartans off the tip, maybe its playing against their rivals. If Michigan makes an inordinate amount of threes and doesn’t get killed on the glass, they probably win this game. If MSU takes care of the ball and wins the rebounding battle, they probably win. It’s a pretty straightforward path to victory for both teams. KenPom has this as a 72-71 victory for Michigan State in a 50/50 tossup.

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MSU Basketball Forward Xavier Tillman named a Karl Malone Award finalist

Michigan State Basketball power forward Xavier Tillman has been named to the top-10 midseason watch list for the Malone Award.

Two days ago, Michigan State Basketball point guard Cassius Winston was named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, given to the top point guard in the country. Today, his fellow Spartan and MSU big man Xavier Tillman was named a finalist for the Karl Malone Award, which is awarded to the top power forward in Men’s college basketball.

Tillman is averaging 13.3 points, 10.1 points, and 3.2 assists-per-game in what has been a strong season for the veteran. He’s also averaging 2.2 blocks and 1.1 steals-per-game. These are all career-highs for Tillman, who is averaging 31.7 minutes-per-game, another career-high.

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Here is the full list of finalist:

  • Zeke Nnaji, Arizona
  • Yoeli Childs, BYU
  • Tyler Bey, Colorado
  • Obi Toppin, Dayton
  • Killian Tillie, Gonzaga
  • Jalen Smith, Maryland
  • Xavier Tillman, Michigan State
  • Reggie Perry, Mississippi State
  • John Mooney, Notre Dame
  • Hasahn French, Saint Louis

Still waiting to see if Aaron Henry will be a finalist for the Jerry West Award. He was on the preseason watch list for that award, which honors the top shooting guard in college basketball.

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