Michigan at Michigan State Game Preview

Michigan's Trey Burke, back, steals the ball from Michigan State Keith Appling, before making a breakaway basket for a two-point lead with less the twenty seconds as Michigan defeated Michigan State, 58-57, March 3, 2013. // Julian H. Gonzalez -- Detroit Free Press/MCT

Battle for the Big Ten: Wolverines at Spartans

Michigan (14-4, 6-0 B10, #19 ESPN, #21 AP, #25 Coaches)

at Michigan State (18-1, 7-0 B10, #3 AP, ESPN & Coaches)

Time: 7 PM at the Breslin Center

College Gameday: 6pm on ESPN 

TV: ESPN, WatchESPN.com (IT'S DICKIE V BABY!)

Home Radio: Spartan Sports Network (94.9/1240 Lansing, 760 Detroit)

Road Radio: Michigan IMG Sports Network (92.1 Lansing, 1050 Ann Arbor, 950 Detroit)

National Radio: Westwood One

Last 15 Meetings (MSU 9-6)

7 Reasons MSU Will Lose

1. Appling is 2-4 against Michigan.
2. No Payne or Dawson for State, the two starting big men
3. Michigan is 7-0 in the Big Ten, with win at then #3 Wisconsin
4. Alvin Ellis is an unproven freshman (11-26 FG, 7.5 MPG)
5. Kenny Kaminski can't play defense
6. Lack of bench depth
7. Michigan is 4-1 against State on January 25th

 

How MSU Could Win

1. Kaminski hits 3-5 three pointers
2. Ellis and Byrd hit some shots
3. Harris and Appling combine for 37+ points)
4. Kaminski and Schilling play well on defense

MSU Starting 5

1. Guard -- Gary Harris 18.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, 38-114 3ptFG (.333), 3.4 SPG (last 3)
2. Guard -- Keith Appling 15.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 4.6 APG, 29-68 3ptFG (.426)
3. Guard -- Denzel Valentine 7.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.9 APG, 16-53 3ptFG (.302)
4. Guard -- Alvin Ellis (11-26 FG) OR Forward -- Kenny Kaminski (17-31 3ptFG)
5. Forward--Matt Costello 3.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 0.7 APG, 1.7 BPG
6. KEY SUBS: Travis Trice (G), Russell Byrd (G), Gavin Schilling (F), Alex Gauna (F)
7. END OF THE BENCH: Trevor Bohnhoff (F), Keenan Wetzel (G), Dan Chapman (G), Colby Wollenman (F)
8. OUT: Branden Dawson (G/F), Adrian Payne (F)

Michigan Starting 5

1. Guard -- Nik Stauskas
2. Guard -- Derrick Walton Jr.
3. Guard -- Caris LeVert
4. Forward -- Glenn Robinson III
5. Forward -- Jordan Morgan
6. KEY SUBS: Spike Albrecht (G), Zak Irvin (G), Jon Horford (F)
7. END OF THE BENCH: Andrew Dakich (G), Cole McConnell (G), Sean Lonergan (F), Mark Donnal (F), Max Bielfeldt (F), Brad Anluaf (F)
8. OUT: Mitch McGary (F)

My Prediction

MSU 68, Michigan 79