The Balcony Seats: At a Glance: The Michigan State Spartans (MSU -8.5) 7:00 BTN, Jack Breslin Student Events Center

Quick Facts
-Established in 1855
-First basketball season in 1898
-50,085 students
-Located in East Lansing, Michigan
-Main colors- Green & White
-2013/2014 results: 29-9 (12-6 in B1G)
-Jason Richardson attended
-Final Four appearances- 8
-13 regular season conference championships
-63rd matchup between the Hoosiers & Spartans (31-32)

Results Thus Far (9-5/0-0)

11/14 @ Navy W 64-59

11/18 vs. #4 Duke* L 71-81

11/21 vs. Loyola-Chicago W 87-52
11/24 vs. Santa Clara" W 79-52
11/27 vs. Rider" W 77-45
11/28 vs. Marquette" W 79-68
11/30 vs. #11 Kansas" L 56-61
12/03 @ Notre Dame L 78-79 (OT)
12/06 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff W 85-82
12/14 vs. Oakland W 87-61
12/17 vs. Eastern Michigan W 66-46
12/20 vs. Texas Southern L 64-71 (OT)
12/22 vs. The Citadel W 82-56
12/30 vs. Maryland L 68-66
*Denotes Champions Classic
"Denotes Orlando Classic

Tom Izzo has achieved a .713 in almost 20 seasons at MSU

Kenpom Rating- 22nd

PPG-74.4 (42)

Opponent PPG- 60.8 (56)

Avg. Scoring Margin- +13.6 (24)

APG-18.1 (5)

RPG-39.4 (29)

Turnovers/game-12.7 (135)

Fouls per game-18.6 (172)

Scoring/Breakdown

Category Leaders

Travis Trice leads the Spartans in scoring this season

Points
G #20 Travis Trice-13.9
G #45 Denzel Valentine-13.7

Rebounds

G/F #22 Branden Dawson-8.7

F #10 Matt Costello- 6.4

Assists

G #20 Travis Trice-5.9

G #45 Denzel Valentine-4.3

Go ahead and call me crazy for predicting a win. I'll tell you that this is our most opportune time to beat the Spartans at the Breslin Center in a long while, given how their season is playing out and the fact that we can shoot the 3 at a remarkable click. State is still a very tough team this season, but vulnerable at home. Note their recent loss to Texas Southern and Mike Davis. They haven't been able to take care of Kansas or Maryland either…neither of which are particularly great shooting teams which is usually key when it comes to obtaining solid road victories. However, both of those teams do present some decent size down low which won't be such an issue with our team lacking in that category. We will try to push the pace of the game and get out in space with quick outlet paces. I would hate to see the game played in the half court because I'm 99% sure we would very much struggle in that aspect…TC has never made us aware that's a strength of the coaching staff either.

Of course we will need to shoot as well as we have been in recent games. IU is 13th in overall shooting and 6th in 3 point percentage. MSU is 27th and 11th in the same categories, respectively. If the Spartans get hot at home, watch out. However, our shooting could potentially keep us in the game. If it goes cold? I don't have that answer because I haven't seen evidence this year of what the alternative would actually be. The closest I have come to deciphering what the Hoosiers could run is that perimeter offense where we eventually find a cutter to the basket or Hanner/Emmitt make a big play down low for us. If we had lost to Big Red I would be less optimistic coming into the contest, but we got it done and persevered through a couple of huge runs by the Huskers in the second half.

State is in desperate need of a home victory, but I'm taking the Hoosiers in a close one. Solid shooting compiled with young talent and confidence and this is a winnable ball game for us. This is a massive game tomorrow night, and our best chance of winning at MSU since I can last remember. Let's get it done in true hurryin' Hoosiers fashion! I believe this spread is WAY off...

Score Prediction: IU 70 MSU 66

IU Most Valuable Player Prediction: Yogi Ferrell

Quote Before the Game: "There are a lot of people who follow our every move and give us a lot of support. They give us pride. We are playing for those fans every time we run out on the court." -Jarrad Odle

The Venue