No. 21 Michigan at
No. 3 Michigan State
Time: 7PM
ET
Venue: Breslin
Center
TV: ESPN
Records: Michigan
14-4, 6-0 Big Ten; Michigan State 18-1, 7-0
Michigan stat
leaders: Points – Nik Stauskas (18.5 ppg); Rebounds – Jon Horford (5.1
rpg); Assists – Stauskas (3.8 apg); Steals – Caris LeVert (1.3 spg).
Michigan State
stat leaders: Points – Garry Harris (18.3 ppg); Rebounds – Branden
Dawson (8.7 rpg); Assists – Keith Appling (4.6 apg); Steals – Harris (2.1 spg).
Current Streaks: Michigan
W8, Michigan State W11
Point Spread: Michigan
State -5
Prediction: I
am surprised to see MSU favored by 5 entering this game with Branden Dawson out
and Adreian Payne not expected to play. Michigan has really impressed me in the
last few weeks and I think it had the chance to win this game prior to Dawson’s
injury. For some reason, MSU doesn’t play that well at the Breslin Center this
season and having their best two bigs out of the game isn’t going to help. Jordan
Morgan and Jon Horford have improved their play with Mitch McGary out. The
collection of Matt Costello, Alex Gauna and Kenny Kaminski will have to do the
same for MSU. If the Spartans are to win, it will likely fall on Gary Harris
and Keith Appling to get it done on both sides of the ball. Harris shouldn’t
have trouble scoring, but Appling has been taking a beating with his aggressive
play on offense. It is good to see Appling attacking, but his body is not
handling the extra contact. Nik Stauskas is playing as well as anyone in the
country and if he isn’t contained – not just from shooting, but also from
distributing – MSU can’t win. The Wolverines just seem to be connected right
now. Their offensive chemistry is tremendous, and while their defense could be
better, it hasn’t kept them from winning. I look for Michigan to pull out
another big win on the road thanks to that offensive chemistry. Michigan 70, Michigan State 66
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