Michigan St Spartans
Head Coach: Tom Izzo (30th season)
Location: East Lansing, MI
Conference: B1G
Nickname: Spartans
Mascot: Sparty
Line: Michigan St. by 5.5
Rotation Depth: 11
Last time out: Defeated Minnesota
Nota bene:
- This is Kent Pavelka's 1200th game behind the microphone for Nebraska Basketball. You might have noticed some slight changes to the site.
- Michigan St is 9th in KenPom's bench minutes% attribute with 42.8% of their minutes currently coming from the bench
- Nebraska's win over Michigan St in Lincoln broke an 11 game losing streak against the Spartans
- This game is an "Izzone Holiday Game" which means that students will be wearing Christmas outfits. Tom Izzo may or may not wear a Christmas sweater
- Rollie Worster will be playing against another former Utah State teammate. Last game it was Steven Ashworth, this game it's center Szymon Zapala
- Despite shooting 11/22 from 3 against Minnesota, Michigan St comes into this game as the 351st best 3pt shooting team in D-1 at 25.7%. They started slowly from 3 last season before finishing as the 43rd best 3pt shooting team in D-1.
- The Spartans have rolled out a new starting lineup after both of their loses this season
- Fred Hoiberg's son Jack played 3 seasons at Michigan St under Tom Izzo
Player to watch: Jaden Aikns
The senior wing leads the team in minutes and points per game. The career 36.8% 3pt shooter had made just 22% of his 3s this season
Player to watch: Jaxon Kohler
The junior post player has proven to be the best rebounder on the team, leading the team in total rebounds as well as dominating that statistic when he's on the court
MSU Roster
| Player | # | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | Summary |
| Jaden Akins | 3 | SR | G | 6-4 | 180 | 12.4 Pts 4.9 Reb 2.1 Ast |
| Frankie Fidler | 8 | SR | F | 6-7 | 200 | 10.9 Pts 3.8 Reb 1.1 Ast |
| Coen Carr | 55 | SO | F | 6-6 | 220 | 8.6 Pts 3.3 Reb 0.1 Ast |
| Jase Richardson | 11 | FR | G | 6-3 | 185 | 9.6 Pts 2.6 Reb 2.3 Ast |
| Jaxon Kohler | 0 | JR | F | 6-9 | 240 | 8.4 Pts 7.9 Reb 1.0 Ast |
| Jeremy Fears | 1 | SO | G | 6-2 | 190 | 7.8 Pts 1.4 Reb 5.7 Ast |
| Tre Holloman | 5 | JR | G | 6-2 | 180 | 7.7 Pts 1.6 Reb 4.0 Ast |
| Xavier Booker | 34 | SO | F | 6-11 | 220 | 5.6 Pts 2.7 Reb 0.4 Ast |
| Szymon Zapala | 10 | SR | C | 6-11 | 240 | 5.3 Pts 4.7 Reb 0.8 Ast |
| Carson Cooper | 15 | JR | C | 6-11 | 230 | 4.7 Pts 3.7 Reb 0.7 Ast |
| Kur Teng | 2 | FR | G | 6-4 | 190 | 1.4 Pts 0.3 Reb 0.1 Ast |
| Gehrig Normand | 7 | SO | G | 6-5 | 190 | 1.3 Pts 0.0 Reb 0.0 Ast |
UNL Game Notes
Roster/infirmary report
9 Forward Berke Büyüktuncel 6-10 244 lbs Sophomore (questionable, groin pull)
Possible starters for Nebraska
3 Guard Brice Williams 6-7 214 lbs Senior
4 Forward Juwan Gary 6-6 226 lbs Senior
24 Guard Rollie Worster 6-5 210 lbs Senior
34 Center Braxton Meah 7-1 264 lbs Senior
0 Guard Connor Essegian 6-4 190 lbs Junior
Bench
2 Guard Ahron Ulis 6-3 190 lbs Senior
5 Forward Braden Frager 6-7 220 lbs Freshman
8 Guard Jeffrey Grace III 6-3 200 lbs Junior
12 Guard Gavin Griffiths 6-7 193 lbs Sophomore
20 Forward Justin Bolis 6-8 225 lbs Sophomore
25 Guard Nick Janowski 6-4 208 lbs Freshman
31 Guard Cale Jacobsen 6-4 195 lbs Sophomore
1 Guard Sam Hoiberg 6-0 185 lbs Junior
23 Forward Andrew Morgan 6-10 242 lbs Senior
35 Forward Henry Burt 6-7 222 lbs Sophomore
Out for year
51 Forward Rienk Mast 6-10 260 lbs Senior
Hoiberg Presser
Fred touches on the speed and physicality of Michigan St
The Skinny:
Nebraska opens B1G play against familiar foe Tom Izzo. While it seems like Nebraska has had some success against the Spartans, MSU has mostly dominated the series and had an 11 game winning streak going against the Huskers until they were shut down last season in Lincoln. Michigan State is known to struggle to start the season but have already cut their teeth with losses to Kansas and Memphis as well as wins over North Carolina and Colorado. One advantage Nebraska might have at the Breslin Center on a 11 am game is that it might be a little sleepy.
It seems like Nebraska will continue to scramble against this Spartan team with suspect outside shooting. Much like Nebraska, Michigan St has seen an uptick in FT shooting though it's due mainly to Frankie Fidler and PG Jeremy Fears. The Huskers seems like their transition defense is solid but Michigan St is no joke and this year's team is looking to run to supplement their offense. Nebraska has yet to give up over 77 points or even a 10 point run this season. Can they keep the Spartans from string a run(s) together?
Defense has always been the calling card for Izzo though Tom will be the first to tell you it was subpar in Minneapolis on Wednesday in spite of their 18 point victory. Michigan St plays man and makes you work for points in the half court. I would suspect after 2 straight games of 6 made 3s that Connor Essegian could be a focus of the Spartans. However, Izzo might recall the 20 points Juwan Gary had last year in Lincoln.
Both teams are pretty good but expect constant player rotations on and off the bench as both teams try and figure out who is clicking today. At this point I think this Nebraska defense is real enough that they should be in every game they play this season. Can they find a way to steal one in Lansing?
Prediction: Michigan St 75 - Nebraska 71
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.