This week features two marquee match-ups in the Big Ten conference with Ohio State visiting Wisconsin and Michigan State hosting Michigan. In an effort to cover as many schools as possible, I am going to stay away from the Ohio State vs. Wisconsin game and preview the Spartans clash with the Wolverines on Sunday. The first meeting between these teams ended in a 60-59 victory for Michigan in which freshman Trey Burke scored a team high 20 points and Michigan State big man Draymond Green had arguably his worst game of the season, finishing with only 7 points. The second game between the two teams will have a major effect on the conference standings as they are two of the top three teams in the Big Ten.
Michigan will come into East Lansing playing its fourth road game in five contests with their lone home game against 20th ranked Indiana on Wednesday, which won't be an easy one. They are 1-2 on their current road trip and will have a difficult time beating the Spartans if they don't win at home on Wednesday. The Wolverines are led by Tim Hardaway Jr. who has been playing well as of late, leading the team with 15 points per game. Sophomore Evan Smotrycz has been efficient in the post but will need to bring his A-game again and shut down Draymond Green if Michigan plans on stopping the Spartans. An interesting matchup will take place at the point guard position between Trey Burke and Keith Appling, although I would have to give the edge to Appling because of his experience and the fact he is playing at home.
Michigan State may be the most surprising team in the nation this year and I can't help but give credit to Tom Izzo for bringing his team together after an 0-2 start to the season. Call me crazy but this is a final four team that could surprise people come March. Draymond Green is everything Izzo wants in a player and has been able to do it all this year, averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds and almost 4 assists per game. After two straight losses to break their 15 game winning streak, Sparty has won the last two and if they are able to beat Illinois in Champaign, should be set up to challenge Ohio State for the conference championship.
Prediction (1-2): You know what they say, the first win is the hardest. Now that I have turned the corner, I don't plan on looking back. Michigan State will win this game. Michigan is in the middle of a rough road trip that won't get any better with a visit to their rival. This matchup has become very heated over the past couple of years and I don't think Draymond Green will want to end his final game against Big Blue with a loss. The Spartans have more to play for, especially if the Badgers are able to upset the Buckeyes for the second consecutive year. Both teams have big games earlier this week and the outcomes of each could affect Sunday's game.
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