Michigan State Spartans Preview

Date: Saturday, February 6th

Time: 5:30pm CST

Location: East Lansing, Michigan

2020-21 Record: 8-7 (2-7 Big Ten Conference)

Ranking: N/A

Head Coach: Tom Izzo (26th Season)

Preview

The Michigan State Spartans have had a bit of a rough season for a Big Ten blue blood program. They’re currently one loss away from not having a winning record. Something of a shock from a team that very well could have made a deep run in the tournament last season. That is, if the season was not cancelled due to COVID.

This season did start well enough for the Spartans. They went undefeated in the non-con. Making it all the way to #4 in the Nation. That is until they made a little trek down to Evanston to take on the unassuming Wildcats of Northwestern. There, they met their first loss of the season. Since then, they have gone 2-7 in Big Ten play. Eradicating their top 25 ranking in the process.

Their only wins, an “upset” to the #15 ranked Rutgers and of course to our beloved Huskers.

At this point, there is serious doubt the Spartans will make the NCAA Tournament. They are currently sitting #13 in the Big Ten conference standings and that puts them one spot ahead of Nebraska. A team that was once the king of the conference now sitting about a perennial bottom feeder.

Aaron Henry leads Michigan State in scoring at 13.9 points per game, while also topping MSU in assists with 3.5, blocked shots with 1.4 and steals with 1.5. Also of note is junior transfer Joey Hauser who is averaging 11.2 points per game on 49 percent shooting and a team-high 7.5 rebounds per game.

Prediction

This is a shadow of previous Michigan State teams. However, the Huskers have not played since January 10th. A loss to Indiana in Lincoln. We have no idea how the COVID lockdown affected the team. Hopefully they are all healthy but a month off from competition could make this a long night for the Big Red.

If Nebraska had a few games under their belt this past month then I might feel more confident but I just can’t wrap my head around how this game is going to play out. As of now, this could be conference win #3 for Sparty.