Michigan State basketball: Getting to know Southern Indiana

Michigan State basketball has a chance to bounce back on Thursday night against Southern Indiana at the Breslin Center.

Bad news: our Spartans are coming off a 79-76 overtime defeat at the hands of James Madison. Good news: Michigan State basketball has 30 more games in the regular season. Let’s turn our attention to Michigan State’s next opponent, the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles.

When:  Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. ET

It’s hard to imagine Michigan State playing a team with a more unique mascot this season than the Screaming Eagles. Southern Indiana is coming off a 16-17 (9-9) year in 2022-23. They played Missouri and Notre Dame last year, both defeats, however, the Screaming Eagles were competitive only losing by a combined 18 points. Southern Indiana led the Ohio Valley Conference in offensive efficiency last season and finished 285th in KenPom. The Screaming Eagles are entering their second year in Division I.

The Screaming Eagles are coming off a 75-63 loss at Saint Louis on Monday night. Florida A&M transfer guard, Jordan Tillmon led the team with 15 points off the bench.

Southern Indiana featured the following starting lineup to begin the season:

C: Nick Hittle (6-foot-10)
F – Jack Mielke (6-foot-7)
G – A.J Smith (6-foot-6)
G – Ryan Hall (6-foot-5)
G – Jack Campion (5-foot-11)

The starters were thoroughly dominated by Saint Louis on Monday night and Southern Indiana received most of its production from the bench. Along with 15 points, Tillmon (6-foot-2) contributed eight rebounds and three assists off the bench.

Southern Indiana plays a pack-line defense so they will look to slow Michigan State down in transition on Thursday night. I like the matchup for the Spartans as Tom Izzo’s teams have faired well against more talented pack-line defense teams, such as Virginia. However, if the Spartans have not solved their shooting woes from Monday night, the Screaming Eagles from Evansville, Ind., could stay in this game longer than we want to see.

We should see an angry and focused Spartan team Thursday night ready to show us why we were excited about the offseason. This is a game we should see the freshman and walk-ons play the last few minutes.

Expect a fast start from Michigan State that doesn’t allow Southern Indiana a hope of victory.

Prediction: MSU 85, Southern Indiana 59