After suffering their first Big Ten loss Saturday, Michigan State Basketball travels to Wisconsin to face the Badgers. Tip time is 6 PM on ESPN. Here is a preview of tomorrow’s game.
Can UW Get Better Bench Production vs. Michigan State Basketball?
If Tyler Wahl can’t play tomorrow night, it’ll be a second straight start for Carter Gilmore. Once UW had to go to the bench against Illinois, it was an instant weakness. Markus Ilver had a really nice post and basket at the rim right away, but that was about it for the bench. Kamari McGee isn’t a scorer, Connor Essegian had an off game, and Chris Hodges picked up two fouls in a minute.
I would think Connor Essegian will be looking for his shot early and often vs. Michigan State Basketball. When he’s able to knock down shots, Wisconsin gets rolling. He didn’t do it on Saturday, and the bench was exposed for it. Essegian is too good to have two bad games in a row shooting from three.
Can Wisconsin’s Guards Contain MSU’s Guards?
Michigan State Basketball has some good guards in Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard. Walker is the leading scorer for the Spartans at 13.1 points a game, while Hoggard averages 12.1. Chucky Hepburn and Max Klesmit need to be able to score on the offensive side and then be able to play good defense on the Spartan duo.
Walker has become a good floor general for Tom Izzo, while Hoggard can be more of the flashy player of the two. Both can shoot well from the field, and both shoot at least 77% from the line.
Michigan State Basketball vs. Wisconsin Prediction
Just like the Illinois game, I think this comes down to the health of Tyler Wahl. It was obvious the Badgers were missing him against Illinois. He’s might be Wisconsin’s most valuable player. The Badgers were limited in what they were able to do on offense. Michigan State Basketball will also expose that. They’re usually a sound defense and will make you work for your shot
Wisconsin will have to win with defense tomorrow. It’s going to have to be a grind and probably a little ugly as well. Chucky Hepburn also needs to be more aggressive. He’s put together good second halves in the last two games, but we need to see that in the first half as well.
Michigan State Basketball has won its last six games and is coming into Madison playing their best ball of the season. Tom Izzo and the Spartans won’t be phased on the road, as well. This isn’t a flashy squad, but they can play tough defense and make clutch shots at the end of the shot clock.
If this game comes down to free throws, it’s advantage Spartans. However, I think Wisconsin is eager to get back on the court and rebound from a game they had every chance to win. I’ll take the Badgers in another close game.
Michigan State Basketball 64 – Wisconsin 67
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