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Men's basketball looks to bounce back against Northwestern

February 10, 2015
<p>Freshman forward Javon Bess attempts a point over Michigan guard forward Kameron Chatman Jan. 18, 2015, during the game against Michigan at Breslin Center. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines, 76-66. Erin Hampton/The State News</p>

Freshman forward Javon Bess attempts a point over Michigan guard forward Kameron Chatman Jan. 18, 2015, during the game against Michigan at Breslin Center. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines, 76-66. Erin Hampton/The State News

Photo by Erin Hampton | The State News

Before addressing the Big Ten matchup against Northwestern, men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo spent extended time talking about MSU's free throw troubles and questioning the mental toughness of his team Monday.  

This was before revealing that freshman guard Javon Bess may miss the rest of the season with a setback with his ankle recovery. With a month left before the Big Ten Tournament, the problems that plagued the Spartans in November — free throw shooting, execution in close games and health — remain prominent. 

MSU will once again try to right the ship against Northwestern (10-13 overall, 1-9 Big Ten) on Tuesday night. It's a must-win game for a Spartan team fighting to remain relevant in the NCAA Tournament conversation. 

"I think they’re the most deceptive 1-9 team maybe in the country if you look at it that way," Izzo said. "They’ve been in every game, they had Maryland down 16 at Maryland. They’ve played everybody just about really well. They run a very good offense, very structured, patient."

Northwestern senior guard JerShon Cobb, who has played through foot and knee injuries, is now healthy, according to Izzo. Junior center Alex Olah and freshman guard Scottie Lindsay have also been solid.

"Cobb is now back 100 percent, they start a kid named Lindsey who beat out another kid who was starting," Izzo said. "Olah, according to Bo Ryan, is the most improved player in the league. Watching him on film he might be. Yeah, it’s a very good team and I’m sure hungry for a win."

Freshman guard Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn and sophomore guard Alvin Ellis III could see their roles expanded against the Wildcats. With senior guard Travis Trice struggling, Izzo said last Saturday he will look to play Nairn more often. Ellis re-entered the rotation with Bess out on Saturday and will continue to see steady minutes. 

MSU will need confident showings from Trice and junior guard Denzel Valentine as well. The guard tandem has struggled at times, and it's hurt a Spartan team in need of consistent scorers. 

"They've already proven over time it wasn't one game or three games that they're good shooters," Izzo said. "And just got to get it back.

"But yeah, Trav's gotta play well. And a lot of times with him playing well, you've gotta make shots. Because he is a shooter. That's why it's hard to be a point guard that's a shooter and a point guard."

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