Michigan vs. Wisconsin Breakdown & Prediction

No. 6 Michigan vs. No. 22 Wisconsin

Time: 2:25PM ET

Venue: United Center

TV: ESPN

Records: Michigan 26-6, 12-6 Big Ten; Wisconsin 21-10, 12-6

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Trey Burke (19.2 ppg); Rebounds – Glenn Robinson III (5.5 rpg); Assists – Burke (6.8 apg); Steals – Burke (1.6 spg).

Wisconsin stat leaders: Points – Jared Berggren (11.5 ppg); Rebounds – Ryan Evans (7.5 rpg); Assists – Traevon Jackson (2.8 apg); Steals – Jackson (1.0 spg).

Current Streaks: Michigan W1, Wisconsin W1

Point Spread: Michigan -3

Prediction: Similar to the win over Penn State, I would expect Michigan to play a highly-motivated game against Wisconsin on Friday. The Badgers gave the Wolverines one of their toughest losses of the season in Madison. Michigan clearly has more talent than the Badgers. The only way for Wisconsin to win is to out-work the Wolverines and dominate the glass, which is possible. However, I think Michigan will build off its strong second half against Penn State and match Wisconsin’s defensive intensity. It won’t take a ton of points to beat the Badgers, so Michigan just needs to be aggressive and create open looks on the perimeter through dribble penetration. In the end, I see Michigan winning by double digits. Michigan 66, Wisconsin 55

Wisconsin at Michigan State Breakdown & Prediction

No. 22 Wisconsin at No. 10 Michigan State

Time: 9 p.m.

Venue: Breslin Center

TV: ESPN

Records: Wisconsin 20-9, 11-5 Big Ten; Michigan State 22-7, 11-5

Wisconsin stat leaders: Points – Jared Berggren (11.6 ppg); Rebounds – Ryan Evans (7.6 rpg); Assists – Traevon Jackson (2.7 apg); Steals – Jackson (1.1 spg).

Michigan State stat leaders: Points – Gary Harris (13.3 ppg); Rebounds – Adreian Payne (7.4 rpg); Assists – Keith Appling (3.8 apg); Steals – Branden Dawson (1.7 spg).

Current Streaks: Wisconsin L1, Michigan State L3

Point Spread: Michigan State -4

Prediction: Michigan State has gotten rid of that stigma that Wisconsin had over it. The Spartans have won four straight over the Badgers and I think it will be five after tonight. Wisconsin can be a dangerous team and will challenge MSU with its defense, but the Spartans will also pose a problem defensively for Wisconsin. The Badgers don’t have enough solid outside shooting to keep pace with Michigan State’s athleticism. With MSU knowing it needs to win out to potentially get a share of the Big Ten title, I see the Spartans taking care of business. It may not be pretty, and it rarely is against Wisconsin, but MSU gets the nod. Michigan State 57, Wisconsin 50

Michigan at Wisconsin Breakdown & Prediction

No. 3 Michigan at Wisconsin

Time: Noon

Venue: Kohl Center

TV: ESPN

Records: Michigan 21-2, 8-2 Big Ten; Wisconsin 16-7, 7-3

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Trey Burke (18.1 ppg); Rebounds – Mitch McGary (6.0 rpg); Assists – Burke (7.2 apg); Steals – Burke (1.3 spg).

Wisconsin stat leaders: Points – Jared Berggren (11.8 ppg); Rebounds – Ryan Evans (7.7 rpg); Assists – Ben Brust (2.7 apg); Steals – Brust/Traevon Jackson (1.0 spg).

Current Streaks: Michigan W1, Wisconsin W2

Point Spread: Michigan -2

Prediction: The Kohl Center has proven to be a tough place to play for most Big Ten teams, Michigan included. This game is a big one for the Wolverines, as they can’t really afford to come up short against the Badgers with some big games against Michigan State and Indiana still on the horizon. Wisconsin also badly needs this game to avoid a fourth loss in conference play. The key to this contest is simply talent. Michigan clearly has more talent. While I don’t doubt that Wisconsin will do well defensively to keep Michigan from piling on the points, I don’t see Wisconsin shooting the lights out to stay ahead of the Wolverines. Michigan may not have a great day scoring, but it doesn’t need to to win this game. Michigan 58, Wisconsin 54.

MSU defense making the Spartans a true contender

As I have watched Michigan State throughout the basketball season, I have been strong in my feelings that the Spartans aren’t a legit contender to win the Big Ten title.

When you watch their games, you just don’t see that “it” factor. I can’t say I can recall too many times where I have said out loud “that is some good basketball” when watching MSU.

However, the Spartans still find themselves 17-3 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten. Michigan State may even be a top-10 team in the nation by the end of the week.

So, how are they doing it?

While the offense hasn’t always been stellar, the defense has been for the most part.

Michigan State is currently ranked in the top 25 in the nation in points allowed (57.8 ppg) and defensive field goal percentage (37.8%).

The defense has made up for the lack of offensive fire power and allows Michigan State to essentially be in the hunt to win every game it has played.

Outside of the loss to Minnesota, the Spartans have had a chance to win every game this season. They lost by eight to Miami (Wednesday night will tell us just how good the Hurricanes can be), and the loss to Connecticut to open the season was by just four points and could have easily been a win.

Michigan State still owns the top win of any Big Ten team this season in its win over Kansas. You could argue Wisconsin’s win at Indiana is bigger, but the Jayhawks are currently higher in the rankings.

Along with giving Kansas its lone loss, Michigan State held the Jayhawks to just 64 points, its third-lowest scoring total of the season.

On Tuesday night, Michigan State out-Wisconsined Wisconsin. The Spartans held the Badgers to a season-low in points in order to pick up a 49-47 victory, just the second win for MSU at Wisconsin in the Bo Ryan-era.

Since Big Ten play, the Spartans have held three opponents to their lowest or second-lowest total of the season (Wisconsin, Ohio State, Iowa). MSU also held Purdue to its fourth-lowest point total of the season and lowest total in Big Ten play.

Assuming the defensive effort will continue, if Michigan State can find its offense, the Spartans can be a very dangerous team in the Big Ten and nationally.

The Spartans’ biggest test comes on Sunday with a trip to Indiana. The Hoosiers struggled against the defense Wisconsin brought to the table, and Michigan State has better athletes than the Badgers.

Michigan State at Wisconsin Breakdown & Prediction

No. 13 Michigan State at Wisconsin

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Kohl Center

TV: ESPN

Records: Michigan State 16-3, 5-1 Big Ten; Wisconsin 13-5, 4-1

Michigan State stat leaders: Points – Keith Appling (13.8 ppg); Rebounds – Adreian Payne (7.2 rpg); Assists – Appling (4.5 apg); Steals – Branden Dawson (1.8 spg).

Wisconsin stat leaders: Points – Jared Berggren (12.7 ppg); Rebounds – Ryan Evans (7.6 rpg); Assists – Ben Brust (3.0 apg); Steals – Brust/Traevon Jackson (1.1 spg).

Current Streaks: Michigan State W5; Wisconsin L1

Point Spread: Wisconsin -6

Prediction: The Kohl Center has not been an easy place to play for any team, let alone Michigan State. Bo Ryan has always played Michigan State tough, but the Spartans have won three straight in this series, including one in OT at the Kohl Center. I think MSU would have had a better chance in this game had Wisconsin not been coming off a loss to Iowa. The Badgers should be pumped up and ready for this rivalry game. I think the Spartans will be up to the challenge, but I see the Badgers sneaking one out in a typical, ugly MSU vs. Wisconsin basketball game. Wisconsin 58, Michigan State 56