Manny Harris is a heck of a ballplayer. He’s got a lot of skills — can pull up and shoot, handle the ball, or take it to the basket. But essentially putting the weight of the team nearly all on Harris’s shoulders will not reap benefits down the stretch. Considering the inexperience of Harris and fellow freshman guard Kelvin Grady, the young Wolverines’ ball handlers can learn a thing or two from seasoned MSU guards Drew Neitzel and Travis Walton.

Advantage: MSU

Forwards/Centers

Does U-M even have an effective post player? Brent Petway’s legacy left behind some big Nikes to fill. Sophomore forward DeShawn Sims has the potential to be a legitimate second scorer for the Wolverines, but he has a lot of growing to do — physically and psychologically.

On the other side, it seems as if any one of MSU’s big men could handle Sims and have a little extra energy to have a good game on his own. Senior center Drew Naymick will hold down the defensive end while junior center Goran Suton is capable of a double-double on any given night and junior forward Marquise Gray is always a threat.

Advantage: MSU

Bench

With Chris Allen back in the mix with an already uber-strong bench, the Spartans could feasibly have two fairly productive starting fives. U-M’s reserves, on the other hand, don’t see many minutes. Only five Wolverines see more than 20 minutes of playing time per game.

Advantage: MSU

Intangibles

MSU is undefeated at home this season. U-M has not won at Breslin Center since 1997 and has barely been able to get wins at home this season.

Advantage: MSU

Coaching

It doesn’t matter what John Beilein’s résumé looks like or what he did at West Virginia. He came to U-M and was handed a program that a YMCA instructor could improve upon and they got worse. Makes that Harvard gig that Tommy Amaker took look pretty appealing.

Advantage: MSU