Spartans fans — what is your profession?
It could be to grab the foam finger, body paint, rowdy rags, hair dye and Sparty helmet — there’s no other game at Breslin Center quite like this one.
Breakdown
Spartans look to avenge blowout loss to Indiana when teams meet Sunday at Breslin Center
Freshman guard Chris Allen guards Indiana swingman Jamarcus Ellis Feb. 16 at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. The Hoosiers beat the Spartans, 80-61.
It couldn’t be any more appropriate — the MSU men’s basketball team squares off with Indiana on Senior Day at 2 p.m. Sunday for a home finale at Breslin.
The Spartans look to slay the visiting Hoosiers after being embarrassed 80-61 on Feb. 16 in Bloomington, Ind.
“We’re gonna go to war,” junior guard Travis Walton said.
“There’s no doubt about that — it’s go time.”
Guards
Despite senior guard Drew Neitzel’s 21 points in Bloomington, the MSU backcourt was utterly outshone by Hoosiers Jamarcus Ellis and Eric Gordon — who combined for 40 points on 14-for-22 shooting, including 4-for-9 from behind the- arc.
Freshman guard Kalin Lucas had a rough go the first time around against the Hoosiers with only seven points. After studying film, he’ll know what he did wrong two weeks ago.
But the Spartans’ main concern should be finding a brick-wall defense for Gordon because he has the ability to slash any momentum MSU obtains.
Advantage: Indiana
Forwards/Centers
One name: D.J. White.
The Hoosier is having a career year and is showing no signs of backing down now.
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The Spartans did not get a chance to face off against White very much last time, as he left the game 15 minutes in with a left knee injury.
Junior center Goran Suton completely slacked Feb. 16 — racking up four turnovers, one rebound and no points in 16 minutes of play. Senior center Drew Naymick did some things well but played mediocre overall.
But the MSU big men’s inability to defend Lance Stemler and White poses a serious threat to the team’s chances of winning.
Advantage: Indiana
Bench
With the minutes head coach Tom Izzo’s been getting from Walton, Durrell Summers, Chris Allen and Marquise Gray in the past two weeks, he has no room to complain.
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If those four excel, the Hoosiers won’t be able to handle the balanced scoring attack.
MSU grabs too much momentum in those situations, especially at home.
Indiana’s DeAndre Thomas created his own highlight reel last time these teams met.
But if he and Jordan Crawford don’t get hot, MSU will prevail off the bench and in the game.
Advantage: MSU
Intangibles
Will a majority of the Izzone stay in East Lansing, or will thousands of them pack up and head to the beach before the biggest home matchup of the season? That is the question.
If Breslin is rockin’ and the arena is booming all night, there’s no question who will come out on top.
But if Indiana goes on a run and there’s no cheering, trash talking and chants to put them in their place, the Spartans might suffer their first and only home loss of the season.
Advantage: Even
Coaching
It’s not Izzo versus Kelvin Sampson anymore — it’s Izzo versus interim head coach Dan Dakich. And that change switches the advantage from even to pro-MSU. Izzo’s experience in these types of games overshadows anything Dakich has seen as an assistant head coach.
Izzo will be going for the kill in this game as he desires a perfect 9-0 record in his gym.
Advantage: MSU
