No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 7 Michigan State: an intense rivalry that proves its impact, no matter the sport.
There are several ways to break down this storied rivalry, highlighted by memorable moments such as Trey Burke’s game-winning steal in 2013 and MSU's 2024 victory that lifted head coach Tom Izzo to his 700th career win.
The winner of Friday’s game will claim sole possession of first place in the Big Ten following three Purdue losses and UM's win over Nebraska. UM (19-1, 9-1) and MSU (19-2, 9-1) will tip off Friday, Jan. 30, at 8 p.m. on FOX, with Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery on the call.
Izzo, after practice on Wednesday, said he always looks forward to these games, especially when both teams are as good as they are.
"Rivalries are always rivalries, but rivalries when both teams are good are more important rivalries and bigger rivalries," Izzo said. "So it's not always been that way, it is that way this year, and that's great."
With so much on the line this weekend, the numbers provide context behind a pair of roaring Big Ten opponents.
In the 197th meeting of the rivalry, MSU and UM will face each other as top-10 opponents for the first time since 2019. That season, both teams lost to Texas Tech in the NCAA Tournament, with MSU falling in the Final Four and UM exiting in the Sweet 16. The rivals also met in the 2019 Big Ten Tournament final, where the Spartans defeated the Wolverines 65-60.
UM leads the all-time rivalry 104-92, but has lost the past four meetings and seven of the last nine. Since 1999, MSU has led the series 35-16. Since then, UM is yet to win more than three rivalry matches in a row.
Both MSU and UM own adjusted efficiency ratings above 30. MSU ranks sixth nationally at 30.88, while UM sits second at 35.65. Fifteen of the past 20 national champions posted a KenPom adjusted efficiency above 30. The last four times the Spartans eclipsed that mark, they reached the Final Four — in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2019.
UM and MSU rank among the nation’s best rebounding teams. UM averages 42 rebounds per game to MSU’s 41.4, ranking first and third in the Big Ten, respectively. In rebound margin, however, MSU outrebounds opponents by 15 per game, second in Division I behind Florida. UM ranks 13th nationally, outrebounding foes by nine per game.
After winning the Big Ten Tournament last spring, UM and head coach Dusty May leaped into the transfer portal. According to On3, UM was ranked fourth in the country in transfer portal additions heading into this season.
Yaxel Lendeborg from UAB, Aday Mara from UCLA, Morez Johnson Jr. from Illinois and Elliot Cadeau, who played at North Carolina, all transferred to UM and have consistent starting spots in the lineup. For UM, the transfer portal has been a helpful tool in constructing rosters, with the aforementioned newcomers scoring 49 points a game.
Izzo, meanwhile, has been a staunch critic of the transfer portal and name, image and likeness compensation, yet still used the portal to address roster needs in the offseason. MSU added senior Trey Fort from Stanford, Miami sophomore guard Divine Ugochukwu, Harvard point guard Denham Wojcik and Kaleb Glenn from FAU, who is redshirting this season with a leg injury.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
MSU's strengths this season stem from its collective experience and senior leadership. The four returning starters — Jeremy Fears Jr., Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper and Coen Carr — combine to average 49 points and 24 rebounds per game.
UM and MSU rank among the nation’s elites with their rankings consistently among the best in national polls and metrics. UM enters Friday’s game ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll, No. 3 in the NET, No. 2 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 2 per KenPom.
MSU is ranked its highest of the season but trails the Wolverines in most polls. The Spartans are No. 7 in the AP Poll, No. 9 in the NET, No. 8 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 6 in the KenPom rankings.
"I will say it again. I hate them. Of course, I hate them. They hate us," Izzo said. "If the day comes when you like your rival, it's time to get out. That's for anybody in any sport. But if the day comes and you don't respect your rival, shame on you."
