Where: Breslin Center, East Lansing, Michigan

TV: CBS

Radio: 94.9 WMMQ-FM (Lansing)

Key players: Forward Kaleb Wesson (6-9, 270, Sophomore, Westerville, Ohio), Guard C.J. Jackson (6-1, 175, Senior, Charlotte, North Carolina)

After losing three in a row, the No. 11 Michigan State Spartans have appeared to right the ship, winning two straight including a close road victory Tuesday night over Wisconsin. MSU will look to continue the newfound positivity Sunday afternoon when they welcome in an Ohio State team that has won three of their last four games.

The Buckeyes feature one of the most underrated big men in the conference, sophomore Kaleb Wesson. The 6-foot-9, 270-lb sophomore is a load down low, and his matchup with fellow Ohio native Nick Ward could go a long way towards deciding this game. Wesson was extremely effective on post-ups in the team’s first matchup of the season, January 5 in Columbus, when he scored 25 on 9-for-15 shooting. MSU won that game in comeback fashion, 86-77 in part due to the performance of junior point guard Cassius Winston, who matched Wesson’s 25 points.

One difference between this upcoming game and MSU’s January 5 victory has been the emergence of senior point guard C.J. Jackson as one of Ohio State’s main scoring threats. He has been steady in conference play, scoring in double figures all but twice. His ability to drive the lane and complement Wesson’s inside presence will be key for the Buckeyes’ hopes of an upset. 

On the other side of the ball, freshman forward Aaron Henry will likely play a much bigger role Sunday than he did in the first meeting. Redshirt junior forward Kyle Ahrens started and played 30 minutes that day, but has been limited by back issues and has only played more than half the game twice since Columbus. 

With junior guard Joshua Langford out for the season with a foot injury, Henry will be expected to get the start. He is coming off perhaps the finest performance of his young career Tuesday night, scoring eight on four-of-six shooting and making the game-winning assist, kicking out to senior forward Kenny Goins for a three-pointer. Henry’s explosiveness could cause problems for a Buckeye team that has struggled to guard the drive at times this season.

Michigan State holds a 74-59 lead in the series, including a 45-17 advantage in East Lansing.