Uncover the Rivalry - Michigan State vs. Nebraska
Game Details
The matchup features Michigan State taking on Nebraska. The game is scheduled to kick off at noon on Saturday and will be held at the Breslin Center. It will be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network and Spartan Sports Network radio, including WJIM 1240-AM and WMMQ 94.9-FM. Additionally, it can be heard on Sirius/XM Ch. 390 (MSU broadcast) and 389 (Nebraska broadcast).
In terms of records and rankings, Michigan State enters the game with a 7-2 record and is ranked No. 25 in the Coaches Poll and just outside the top 25 in the Associated Press poll. Nebraska, on the other hand, has a 6-1 record and is unranked in both major polls but is receiving votes.
Coaches and Series
Michigan State's head coach, Tom Izzo, has an impressive record of 714-297 in his 30th season with the Spartans. Nebraska's coach, Fred Hoiberg, has a record of 184-151 in his 11th season as a collegiate head coach, including 69-95 in his sixth season with the Huskers.
In the series history, Michigan State leads 23-10 all-time, and they have won 16 out of the last 20 meetings since Nebraska joined the Big Ten. However, last season, Nebraska won the only meeting between the two teams, 77-70, after Michigan State had won 11 straight against them.
Team Updates
The Spartans are coming off a dominant 90-72 win at Minnesota in their Big Ten opener. They have a chance to start 2-0 in the conference if they can beat Nebraska. After this game, they will take a break from Big Ten play and play three more non-conference games against Oakland in Detroit on Dec. 17, home against Florida Atlantic on Dec. 21, and home against Western Michigan on Dec. 30.
Nebraska has exceeded expectations this season. With two mainstays returning in wing Brice Williams and forward Juwan Gary, the team has been performing well. Had center Rienk Mast been healthy, this team could have been a serious NCAA tournament contender. Nebraska is ranked 44th in Kenpom and has a double-digit road win over a Creighton team that just beat Kansas and a lone loss by three points on a neutral court to a good Saint Mary's program.
Matchup Analysis
Nebraska has been solid defensively, with veteran forward Juwan Gary serving as an anchor. Brice Williams is a big wing who can score at various levels and has been a consistent force. Connor Essegian, a transfer from Wisconsin, has been a key contributor offensively, hitting 20 of 45 3-point attempts this year and providing the Huskers with a dangerous outside shooter.
However, Nebraska will miss center Rienk Mast all season. His interior passing and creating abilities were crucial. But the Huskers have replaced his size with Washington transfer Braxton Meah and UCLA transfer Berke Buyuktuncel. Although Buyuktuncel missed their win over North Florida on Sunday due to an injury, if he is back, Nebraska will likely go with a bigger lineup. If not, they will likely play Gary at the 4 spot and go smaller.
Michigan State's three-guard starting trio of Jeremy Fears Jr., Tre Holloman, and Jaden Akins has been performing well in the last two games. With Jaxon Kohler and Szymon Zapala inside, it's hard to imagine Michigan State changing their starting group. The Spartans are playing 10 players significant minutes and making lineup decisions based on performance.
Prediction
Michigan State has become a team that can be trusted in terms of effort, focus, free-throw shooting, and rebounding. This formula gives them a good chance of winning many games this season. If Michigan State hits seven or more 3-pointers, they should win the game without much stress in the final minutes. But if their shooting struggles return, Nebraska has the ability to make this a close and intense game.
Overall, it's a tough matchup, and Nebraska will pose a significant challenge, especially on the wings. But Michigan State's strengths give them an edge, and they are likely to come out on top.
Prediction: Michigan State 78, Nebraska 70