2014-15 michigan state #2
THE ESSENTIALS
WHAT |
Michigan (13-12, 6-7 B1G) at Michigan State (17-8, 8-4) |
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WHERE |
Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan |
WHEN | 9 pm ET, Tuesday |
LINE | MSU -2 (KenPom) |
TV |
ESPN PBP: Mike Tirico Analyst: Dan Dakich |
THE US
While there's still hope that Derrick Walton will return before the season ends, he won't be back in uniform tonight.
THE STAKES
Losing four in a row has put Michigan in danger of missing the NIT. The Bracket Matrix listed M as a six-seed when they updated at the end of last week; DRatings put them as the last three-seed; Big Apple Buckets placed them as a five-seed before the Illinois loss.
While Michigan finishes with two very winnable games (at Northwestern, Rutgers), they probably need to pull an upset in one of these next three much more difficult games (MSU, OSU, at Maryland) to feel comfortable with their postseason chances heading into the Big Ten Tournament.
As for pride, Michigan hasn't lost to State at Crisler since 2010, when the Spartans got away with murder on the would-be game-winning lob to Deshawn Sims.
THE LAST TIME
Led by Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Michigan almost pulled off a shocker in the Breslin Center, surging in the second half before going scoreless in overtime. The Wolverines haven't won since.
THE LINEUP CARD
Projected starters are in bold. Hover over headers for stat explanations; I've switched over to conference-only stats for %Min and %Poss now. The "Should I Be Mad If He Hits A Three" methodology: we're mad if a guy who's not good at shooting somehow hits one. Yes, you're still allowed to be unhappy if a proven shooter is left open. It's a free country.
Pos. | # | Name | Yr. | Ht./Wt. | %Min | %Poss | SIBMIHHAT | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | 20 | Travis Trice | Sr. | 6'0, 170 | 80 | 25 | No | ||||||||||||
Disciplined, productive distributor. Dangerous outside shooter. Not great inside arc. | |||||||||||||||||||
G | 5 | Bryn Forbes | Jr. | 6'3, 180 | 68 | 15 | No | ||||||||||||
Spot-up gunner hitting 46% of threes. | |||||||||||||||||||
G | 45 | Denzel Valentine | Jr. | 6'5, 220 | 75 | 28 | No | ||||||||||||
Does a bit of everything: rebounding, passing, shooting, and hilarious turnovers. | |||||||||||||||||||
F | 22 | Branden Dawson | Sr. | 6'6, 225 | 84 | 22 | Very | ||||||||||||
Great athlete, monster on the boards, excellent defender. Not a shot creator. | |||||||||||||||||||
F | 34 | Gavin Schilling | So. | 6'9, 240 | 45 | 18 | Very | ||||||||||||
Solid rebounder and rim protector. Decent finisher. | |||||||||||||||||||
F | 10 | Matt Costello | Jr. | 6'9, 245 | 48 | 18 | Very | ||||||||||||
Very similar minutes and profile as Schilling. Eminently elbowable face. | |||||||||||||||||||
G | 11 | Lowrawls "Tum Tum" Nairn | Fr. | 5'10, 170 | 41 | 13 | Very | ||||||||||||
All-pass, no-shoot PG who's prone to freshman mistakes. | |||||||||||||||||||
G | 3 | Alvin Ellis | So. | 6'4, 205 | 18 | 14 | Yes | ||||||||||||
Getting minutes with Javon Bess hurt. Has been really bad this year. |
THE RESUME
Since the last meeting, MSU dropped a home game against Illinois, blew out Northwestern on the road, and most recently staved off Ohio State at the Breslin Center on a game-winner by Denzel Valentine. The Spartans are currently on the right side of the NCAA bubble. Michigan can play spoiler.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the preview.]
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