Michigan State basketball vs. Ohio State tipoff: Matchup analysis and a prediction
• What: Michigan State vs. Ohio State
• When: Noon Saturday
• Where: Breslin Center
• TV/Radio: ESPN/Spartan Sports Network radio, including WJIM 1240-AM and WMMQ 94.9-FM; Sirius/XM Ch. 195 (MSU broadcast); 383 (Ohio State broadcast)
• Records/Rankings: MSU is 18-11 overall, 10-8 in the Big Ten and unranked in the major polls. The Spartans are ranked No. 27 by Kenpom and are No. 31 in the NET rankings. Ohio State is 13-17 overall, 5-14 in the Big Ten and unranked in the polls. The Buckeyes are ranked No. 57 by Kenpom and No. 60 in the NET rankings.
• Projected betting line: MSU -6.5
• Kenpom projected score: MSU 74, Ohio State 67
• Coaches: MSU — Tom Izzo is 684-278 in his 28th season as a head coach, all with the Spartans. Ohio State — Chris Holtmann is 234-158 in his 12th season as a head coach, including 120-73 in six seasons with the Buckeyes.
• Series: MSU leads 74-59 all-time. The Spartans won the first meeting this season, 62-41, on Feb. 12 in Columbus.
Lineups
MSU
C (22) Mady Sissoko (6-9) 5.0
PF (10) Joey Hauser (6-9) 14.1
G (3) Jaden Akins (6-4) 9.5
G (2) Tyson Walker (6-1) 14.8
PG (11) AJ Hoggard (6-4) 12.2
Ohio State
C (34) Felix Okpara (6-11) 3.8
F (14) Justice Sueing (6-7) 12.1
G (4) Sean McNeil (6-4) 9.6
G (13) Isaac Likekele (6-5) 4.0
G (2) Bruce Thornton (6-2) 9.6
• MSU update: The Spartans hadn't reached 80 points in Big Ten play until last week. Now they have in three straight games, including Tuesday night's 80-67 come-from-behind win at Nebraska, during which they scored 54 second-half points. MSU has hit 27 of 45 3-point attempts in its last two games. This could be the final home game for seniors Joey Hauser, Tyson Walker and Malik Hall. Hauser, who already went through senior day ceremonies a year ago, is more than likely done after this season. Hall and Walker could use their option for an extra year of eligibility.
MORE: Couch: Steven Izzo makes his mark on MSU basketball as he and his dad make up for lost time
• Ohio State update: The Buckeyes have won two straight games, both at home by double digits and against good teams — Illinois and Maryland. Those ended a nine-game losing streak and showed some of the potential of this Ohio State team. The Buckeyes are without big man Zed Key, who's been shut down for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
• Inside the matchup: MSU's 62-41 win at Ohio State on Feb. 12 was its most impressive and decisive road performance of the season until the second half Tuesday at Nebraska — during which the Spartans scored 54 points in 20 minutes and rallied from down 12 to win by 13. What that showed is that MSU is capable of winning two different ways, with overwhelming shooting as well as defense. The team that beat Ohio State on Super Bowl Sunday could only win at that pace and with its defense, which was tremendous against a limited, unconnected and impatient Buckeyes team. Ohio State is now without big man Zed Key, but both of its recent wins were without Key, so that hasn't prevented the Buckeyes from finding some late-season fight and quality play. They beat Illinois and Maryland by defending the 3-point line (getting the Illini to fall in love with the 3-point shot) and dominating the glass. And by getting freshman Brice Sensabaugh to take fewer and better shots. Ohio State doesn't have the personnel to hurt MSU in the post offensively, but the rebounding battle will be key. The Spartans owned the glass in Columbus and that isn't always a strength for this team. MSU would be wise to get up early, get the crowd going and remind the Buckeyes of their misery.
MORE: Couch: Michigan State's offense is different when Jaden Akins is playing like this
• Prediction: MSU's win at Ohio State was the Spartans' best defensive performance of the year. I know the Buckeyes have won two straight and have talent that's better than their record. It's hard to imagine them coming on the road into Breslin Center and having the moxie and connectedness to get the job done..
• Make it: MSU 72, Ohio State 63
— Graham Couch
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU basketball vs. Ohio State: Prediction, preview, TV, betting line
