GBMWolverine
Fansided

Michigan Basketball: Michigan vs Michigan State Preview

By David Cuff

facebooktwitterreddit

Feb 1, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard/forward Branden Dawson (22), Michigan Wolverines forward Max Bielfeldt (44), and Wolverines guard Spike Albrecht (2) battle for the ball during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan vs Michigan State is always a fun rivalry game to watch no matter what the sport, and no matter what the records. This Tuesday night on ESPN the two will meet in a rematch from Super Bowl Sunday two weeks ago. That game took place in East Lansing and was a back and forth contest. The game went into overtime where MSU pulled away and won 76-66. Michigan will be looking for revenge in Ann Arbor.

More from Michigan Basketball

Michigan will enter the game Tuesday night losers of their last four contests. They have been fighting hard, however, as two of the losses came in OT and one of the losses was by just three points. All three of the close losses were also on the road. Michigan has been depleted by injuries but they haven’t used that as an excuse. They continue to play hard and have gotten big games from multiple players over the last couple weeks as they’ve searched for a victory. Junior captain Spike Albrecht scored a career high 18 points in East Lansing two weeks ago and will look for a repeat performance Tuesday.

MSU is on the other end of the spectrum. The Spartans have won four of their last five games, including three by double digits. The fourth victory was over a ranked Ohio State team on Tuesday night when junior Denzel Valentine hit a game winning three point shot with just a few seconds remaining. Valentine and senior Branden Dawson have been the Spartans’ best players this season, and they were the two who lead MSU to victory over Michigan in their first meeting. If MSU wants to sweep the season series they will need to be big again.

Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines /

Michigan Wolverines

This game is an important game for both teams. Michigan currently sits at 13-12 and barring a conference tourney win, they won’t be going to the NCAA tournament. They can, however, build for next year by getting some late season wins and maybe even make a trip to the NIT. Michigan State sits at 17-8 and would likely be in the field of 68 if the tournament started today. If they want to stay firmly off the bubble they will need to continue to play well and end the season strong. In this particular match up I see the game being close throughout, but with the home court advantage Michigan will come away victorious.

More from GBMWolverine

Home/Michigan Basketball