Tuesday, March 19, 2024

PREVIEW: MSU, U-M rematch with Big Ten Championship on the line

March 9, 2019
Junior guard Cassius Winston (5) dribbles the ball up the court during the game against Indiana at the Bloomington Assembly Hall Mar. 2, 2019. The Spartans fell to the Hoosiers, 63-62.
Junior guard Cassius Winston (5) dribbles the ball up the court during the game against Indiana at the Bloomington Assembly Hall Mar. 2, 2019. The Spartans fell to the Hoosiers, 63-62. —
Photo by Marie Weidmayer | The State News

Who: No. 7 Michigan (26-4, 15-4 Big Ten) at No. 9 Michigan State (24-6, 15-4).

When: Saturday at 8 p.m.

Where: Breslin Center, East Lansing.

TV: ESPN.

Radio: Spartans Sports Network; 94.9 WMMQ-FM (Lansing)

Line:TBD


It couldn't be scripted any better.

An in-state rivalry rematch between two top-10 teams. A senior sendoff with a conference championship on the line and postseason seeding implications, all on the gazes of national television.

Such is the case for Saturday when the ninth-ranked Spartans host No. 7 Michigan for at least a partial share of the Big Ten regular season title on the final game of the regular season. The winner could win the conference outright if No. 11 Purdue (22-8, 15-4) falls on the road to last-place Northwestern (2:30 p.m./BTN).

Many are coining it the biggest game in the Breslin Center's history.

"That’s the way it’s supposed to be," said MSU coach Tom Izzo, an advocate for a strong rivalry with the Wolverines. "There’s been a lot of big games here, a lot of games that I’ve enjoyed. But if you look at all those things: the rivalry, both in the (Associated Press) Top-10, playing for a championship, seeding implications for the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament, the national television and all of the things, I’d say yeah, it is."

Saturday will mark the 183rd meeting between MSU and U-M, with the Wolverines leading the all-time series 100-82. The Spartans, however, won the last meeting on Feb. 24, 77-70, in Ann Arbor and are 26-17 since Izzo took over as head coach in 1995.

Point guard Cassius Winston led MSU with a game-high 27 points in the first meeting earlier this season, while U-M was held to 39.7 percent shooting for the game, despite having four players finish in double figures. Forward Kenny Goins backed Winston with 16 points (including three clutch 3-pointers) and 11 rebounds.

Despite U-M's shooting woes in the first go-around, Winston knows Saturday will be another tough game.

"That's a really talented team playing really good basketball," Winston, MSU's leading scorer (18.8 ppg), said. "They're going to be a lot more prepared this time. We kind of stole one at their crib, so that was definitely huge. Now we have to take care of home court."

The Spartans' lineup will most likely feature the same starters that stole the late-February matchup, given Izzo gave forward Nick Ward (hand) a "million-to-one" chance to play. Stretch wing Kyle Ahrens (back) will be a game-time decision but could give big minutes off the bench.

The Wolverines could be without guard Charles Matthews (ankle) for the third straight game, though his status is unclear.

Michigan finished the last meeting with six assists on 23 baskets, less than Winston (eight), while MSU finished with six total turnovers. Should U-M fail to find an offensive flow once again, a similar result from the one at Crisler Center 13 days ago could manifest. The Wolverines did a solid job at limiting the Spartans' fast-break offense to four points in transition, but effective play from Xavier Tillman in the high post and great play from Matt McQuaid late was pivotal throughout the second half.

For the Spartans to win, they'll need similar play from Winston, McQuaid, Tillman and Goins which could be easier said than done. MSU will have to limit turnovers, which could prove difficult, given the Spartans can struggle at taking care of the ball; and the adrenaline from the crowd and Senior Day could do more harm than good.

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But the Wolverines may lack the mettle to win in a hostile road environment, especially without Matthews.

“We always want to send the seniors out right," Goins, a fifth-year senior, said. "We want to get a win for that reason, but more importantly, we want to win the championship. And the fact that it’s Michigan, no one ever really wants to lose to Michigan. So we have three reasons to put this game in utmost importance."



Predictions:

Casey Harrison: MSU 78, U-M 69

Chase Michaelson: U-M 65, MSU 61

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