Michigan State basketball: 3 keys to victory vs. Michigan

Michigan State basketball has a chance to get some in-state bragging rights back on Tuesday. Here’s what the Spartans must do.

Michigan State basketball is back in action on Tuesday night at the Breslin Center against in-state rival Michigan. This is the first of two meetings between these teams this year, and both kind of feel like must-wins.

Here are my three keys that will help MSU get the win over Michigan.

1. Slow down Olivier Nkamhoua

Michigan doesn’t have many options to turn to offensively with Dug McDaniel suspended for this game. However, Olivier Nkamhoua likely will be the Wolverines’ go-to option on offense in Dug’s absence. Even when Dug is playing, Olivier is a very productive player.

This season, he is averaging 16.3 points, 7.1 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game. My guess is that Malik Hall will be the main Spartan tasked with guarding him. I don’t think Hall needs to shut Olivier down, but he does need to limit his production offensively. Michigan’s only chance at winning this game is if someone has a career night, and Nkamhoua is the best candidate to do just that. So if Michigan State can contain him, then I really like the Spartans’ chances.

2. Start fast

This is a key for every game, but I think it’s even more important in this one. For starters, the Spartans haven’t been that great at starting games fast this season. So this is something that they need to improve on overall.

But looking at this game specifically, a fast start is crucial. Michigan is having such a bad season this year that I think if MSU gets off to a fast start that Michigan will fold early. Michigan has lost eight of their last nine games, so their confidence is at an all time low. So if Michigan State jumps out to an early double-digit lead and gets the Breslin Center crowd rocking then I don’t think Michigan will have the mental strength to fight back in this game.

3. Dominate on the perimeter

Michigan State has a huge advantage in the backcourt this game. With McDaniel out, the Wolverines do not have a player that stacks up with any of MSU’s guards. Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard are obviously better than anyone Michigan has, and I’d argue that Jaden Akins and Tre Holloman are also better.

So what does that mean for the Spartan guards? They need to act and play like they are the much better players. Nobody will immediately fold just because MSU’s guards are better on paper, but if the guards flex their muscles early then this game could get ugly fast.

This game is the halfway point of the Big Ten season for MSU. Getting to .500 in conference play is critical, and avoiding a resume-destroying loss like this is even more important. But if MSU plays the way we know they can, then this should be a big rivalry win for the Spartans.