EAST LANSING– No. 7 Michigan State men’s basketball is set to host No. 3 Michigan on Friday in the highest-ranked matchup in the history of the series.
Both teams hold top-rated units in the country. The Wolverines have the most efficient offense in the country, while MSU has the best defense rating according to KenPom.
Both schools in the Mitten State are 9-1 in conference play, a part of a three-team tie for first place in the Big Ten.
The Wolverines enter Friday’s matchup riding high after a monumental win over No. 5 Nebraska, which was the outright conference leader before Tuesday.
The Spartans have gotten the best of the Wolverines in recent memory, completing a series sweep in their last two seasons.
Last season cultivated in a Senior Day battle at the Breslin Center, where tensions flared in the waning moments of the Spartans’ 79-62 dominating win.
Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. has been in total control of the MSU offense over the past two games. The redshirt sophomore had a career performance, with 27 points in the second half and overtime to survive an upset over Rutgers on Tuesday night.
For the Spartans to get the win over Michigan, Fears must play a full 40 minutes and keep the offense steady, as the Wolverines will take advantage of an extended MSU scoring drought.
Wolverines head coach Dusty May remains winless against the Spartans, after going 0-2 in his first season.
Spartans forward Coen Carr has emerged as one of the best on-ball defenders in the nation, as he has held high-profile wings to underwhelming performances. MSU head coach Tom Izzo has been impressed with Carr’s development on the defensive side and likened his improvement to former Spartans guard Max Christie.
Carr will most likely have the assignment of guarding Michigan’s leading scorer, senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg. The star transfer from UAB is in the running for Big Ten Player of the Year and is a key to the Wolverines’ success. The Spartans can take advantage if Carr can win his matchup and limit Lendeborg. MSU can force other Wolverines to step up and make key plays in a tough road environment.
MSU is on the doorstep of history. With a win against their biggest rival, the Spartans would set the record for the best start in program history.
Tip-off at the Breslin Center on Friday night is scheduled for 8 p.m. Catch the radio broadcast with Jack Stager and Joe Dez on the call on Impact 89FM. https://impact89fm.org/listenlive/
