Junior forward Xavier Tillman looks to pass against Albion College. The Spartans defeated the Britons, 85-50, at the Breslin Student Events Center on Oct. 29, 2019.
No. 3 Michigan State (1-1) takes on No. 12 Seton Hall in Newark, N.J. on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. (FS1)
With the many question marks surrounding the matchup, Michigan State’s uncertainties have mitigated as senior guard Cassius Winston “plans to make the trip” and will likely play after the Saturday death of his brother Zachary, according to coach Tom Izzo.
Questions still ponder the opposing backcourt, as senior guard and Big East Preseason Player of the Year Myles Powell is a game-time decision with an ankle injury. Despite Powell’s status, this matchup is one Izzo regards as one of the toughest the Spartans will face all year.
“I've never seen so many big guys. Everything's 7-foot-2, 7-foot-2, 6-foot-11, 6-foot-10, 6-foot-9,” Izzo said.
“Their guards are 6-foot-6, 6-foot-4. So this'll be the biggest team we've played and I said at the beginning of the year, I'll probably get killed for this, but I said I thought they would be the best team we play at the time. I said it in my first press conference, and I haven't changed.”
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Frontcourt matchups will be a concern for the Spartans, especially concerning 6-foot-11 forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, who is attempting 3.5 3-pointers per game this season.
7-foot-2 center Romaro Gill will certainly present a matchup challenge for the Spartans, who will likely call on sophomore forward Marcus Bingham’s length to contend with the Pirates’ staggering frontcourt.
“With me around the rim, if I'm tipping the ball, somebody else on my team can grab it, kick it out and we get an open shot or something like that or we can just call another play,” Bingham said. “Just me being around the rim is really helpful for us because I'm long and with the width I've got I can tip balls from both sides of the rim.”
Foul trouble was a concern for the Spartans against Kentucky and will be interesting to watch as MSU contends with Seton Hall’s size on the glass. Wings like sophomore forward Aaron Henry expressed the need to contribute on the boards to combat the Pirates’ size advantage.
“Just being low, you know, just use the leverage to our advantage,” Henry said. “They're a huge team and they've got a lot of skill in the wings and at the guard position as well. But, we got to go in there as the wings and go in there and help those bigs rebound."
Point spread, prediction
+5.5 Seton Hall, O/U 140 according to vegasinsider.com.
With Powell likely playing a limited role as he battles an ankle injury, Michigan State gains a slight advantage at the point guard position.
Paolo Giannandrea: 70-62, MSU
Jayna Bardahl: 76-63, MSU
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