The MSU men’s basketball team looks to rebound from its first conference loss at Iowa this weekend as the Spartans face Ohio State at 7 p.m. tonight at Breslin Center.
The No. 11 Spartans (14-2 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) are 38-15 against the Buckeyes (12-4, 3-1) at home.
Guards
Ohio State’s Jamar Butler may have been overshadowed by Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. last season.
The senior guard ranks in the top five in the Big Ten for 3-point percentage, assist-turnover ratio, minutes, assists and free-throw percentage.
His 14.8 points per game leads the Buckeyes.
Despite his shooting struggles, senior guard Drew Neitzel maintains an NCAA-best 4.59-to-1 assists-turnover ratio.
Freshman guard Kalin Lucas has been phenomenal of late – with the exception of his no points, four fouls, 0-for-8 field goal shooting performance against Iowa.
Advantage: Even
Forward/Center
In MSU’s three Big Ten contests, junior forward Marquise Gray, senior center Drew Naymick and junior center Goran Suton have combined for 34 points. Naymick admitted their offensive performances have been “pretty poor.”
MSU head coach Tom Izzo said Ohio State’s freshman center Kosta Koufos garnered national recognition out of high school, and he hasn’t disappointed.
He’s averaging 14.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, third and first among Big Ten freshmen, respectively.
Advantage: Ohio State
Bench
With freshman guard Durrell Summers and Lucas coming off the bench averaging a combined 16.3 points per game in more than 14 minutes apiece, the Spartans seemingly have effective sixth and seventh men.
Izzo also is pleased to have freshman guard Chris Allen returning to the lineup after a foot injury.
The Buckeyes rely heavily on their starters, as the first five average 54.9 of the Buckeyes’ 70.4 points per game. Ohio State’s only real threat from the bench is 7.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per game from guard Jon Diebler.
Advantage: MSU
Intangibles
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While Ohio State has won the last three meetings against the Spartans (including a 63-54 win in East Lansing last February), MSU is a perfect 10-0 at home this season and always seems to find ways to win.
It’s tough to outweigh a Breslin Center home crowd and the Izzone, especially in a game like this.
Advantage: MSU
Coaching
Not many coaches in the Big Ten stack up against Izzo. Ohio State’s Thad Matta is 195-57 in eight seasons, while Izzo is 292-123 and a sure Hall of Famer.
But what Matta has done this season after losing two All-American superstars after one season is notable.
Advantage: Even
