“I hate [Michigan],” MSU head coach Tom Izzo said. “Of course I hate them. They hate us. I mean, do you think I’m getting Valentine's day cards from them? But the key word is respect, and I do respect them a lot.”

Defense wins rivalries

To claim the state of Michigan means winning this game: standing alone victorious, silencing a rival and earning bragging rights along with everything that comes with a win. But victory is no easy feat. This is a highly physical game played with passion by all, and, most importantly, a game of defense.

On Friday, this will be more true than ever. MSU holds opponents to 62.8 points per game (4th in FBS) while Michigan holds opponents to 68.6 points per game (45th in FBS). Both teams have relied on their back court to fend off opponents, and during this matchup, both will have to rely on the same to find victory. 

“I'm happy that we've relied on our defense,” Izzo said on Monday. “Our offense has slowly gotten better. We've relied on our defense because, as we all know, that does travel.”

Michigan runs a defense similar to Michigan State’s. It is a physical, man-to-man scheme that protects the rim, emphasizes versatile switching and smothers ball-handlers. Forward Yaxel Lendeborg leads the Wolverine defense. The senior is a quick, lengthy defender prone to steals and blocks. Along with his 14.4 points per game, he averages 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks.

Along with Lendeborg, there is center Aday Mara, a 7’3 255 pound specimen that serves as Michigan’s guardian of the basket. The junior from Spain has a field day when opponents come his way, as he averages 2.7 blocks per game (4th in FBS).

The Wolverines can, and sometimes do, switch to a zone defense, though they typically stick with it for only one or two possessions. It’s a tactic designed to disrupt opponents’ offensive rhythm, and Michigan State, a team that struggles against the zone, must be prepared to face it Friday.

Opposite of Michigan’s defense is an MSU back court that is statistically better. The Spartan’s defense has been a concrete wall that opponents can not seem to run through, their aggressive and in your face guard play, physical rim protection and elite defensive rebounding has made them one of the most feared back courts in all of the nation. 

Unlike Michigan, there is no true leader of this defensive showcase; it’s more of a team effort. When one Spartan puts pressure on a ball handler, the rest do the same, and when one Spartan gets beat, the rest fill the lane to help. 

That cohesion has produced some of the Big Ten’s best defensive performances. This season, no conference team has scored more than 70 points at the Breslin Center. During Big Ten play, only Rutgers and Penn State have managed more than 70 points against Michigan State.

Against Big Ten opponents, MSU’s defense has allowed only 60 points per game. Subtract the Rutgers and Penn State game, that number falls to 56.

Both teams have defensive strengths: the Wolverines rely on their star players, while the Spartans depend on team cohesion. They also have weaknesses: Michigan is vulnerable against consistent guard play, and Michigan State struggles against dominant post players. Ultimately, the stronger, more physical defense is likely to prevail.

A battle in the paint

On Friday, fans of both teams will witness a war, and the first battle will take place inside the paint. Here, the Spartans and Wolverines will bump bodies, fight for offensive and defensive positioning, generate good post moves to create the best shot and crash the boards for rebounds. 

While much attention is on the guard matchup between Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau and MSU’s Jeremy Fears Jr., the battle in the paint may be even more crucial. Both teams are physical and rely on scoring and defending near the basket. For Michigan State, controlling the paint is central to its style of play. If Michigan can limit that area, the Spartans may be forced to shoot from beyond the arc, where they have struggled this season.

Michigan’s success may hinge on the play of Aday Mara. On Friday, he will likely be the tallest player on the court, giving him a clear advantage. He can set effective screens, finish passes from teammates and make an impact in the paint simply by being there. Along with averaging 2.7 blocks, he also contributes 10.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

Mara relies on his height and length to score and protect the rim. Without those advantages, he is an average NCAA center. To exploit this, Michigan State will turn to senior center Carson Cooper. Cooper is enjoying a career season, averaging 10.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. He is quick and agile, a strong rebounder, a tough defender and capable of scoring in multiple ways.

“Carson Cooper has become a really good player,” Izzo said on Monday. “He’s playing his best basketball.”

Height and length aside, Cooper and Mara are not much different. They are two solid players that can score, defend and rebound. Their battle in the paint will be a pivotal aspect of this game. 

“[Against Michigan’s bigs] we have to stay out of foul trouble,” Izzo said. “They rebound the ball pretty well, and we rebound the ball very well, so that’ll be a battle in itself.”

The battle in the paint will also be extended to senior forward Jaxon Kohler and junior forward Coen Carr, who both have the task of not only guarding Mara, but also Lendeborg and forward Morez Johnson Jr. – a sophomore who averages 13.9 points with 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. 

Unlike Mara, Lendeborg and Johnson will not be in the paint on every possession. They will, however, find themselves there on many occasions, via driving to the basket, getting positioning on rebounds, aiding in the back court and posting up in the front court. Meeting them in the post with heavy physicality – whether on offense or defense – will need to be Kohler, Carr and/or Cooper. If this can’t happen, then the Wolverines may ride out of East Lansing in control of the Big Ten. If it does happen, then the Spartans may burn couches in victory. 

“Michigan is probably the most talented team that we’ll face this year,” Izzo said. “We can’t play poorly and win. We can’t play average and win. We’re gonna have to be on top of our game to win a game like this.” 

The stakes are high for both teams. On Friday, Jan. 30, at 8 p.m. at the Breslin Center, No. 7 Michigan State (19-2, 9-1 Big Ten) will face No. 3 Michigan (19-1, 9-1 Big Ten) in a game likely to be decided by strong defense and consistent play in the post. The game will air on CBS.