WHO: No. 9 Michigan State Spartans 12–1 (2–0) vs No. 13 Nebraska Huskies 13–0 (2–0)
WHERE: Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, NE
WHEN: Friday, January 2nd, 9 PM EST
WATCH: Peacock
If you’re still nursing a headache from the quarts of champagne that flowed freely the night before, and rest and relaxation are the only things on your mind as college football plays nonstop throughout the day, then New Year’s Day probably went exactly as planned.
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As I’ve been watching these football games, all I can think is: why couldn’t Michigan State be in one of them? But this isn’t an article about how or why the Spartans aren’t in the College Football Playoff, or how they managed only one conference win this season. Nope — despite the calendar screaming college football, this isn’t a football article at all.
This is a preview of Michigan State’s third conference basketball game of the year.
The Spartans have already taken down Iowa and Penn State, but now Big Ten play truly kicks off with 18 straight conference games ahead.
Michigan State is coming off its first triple-digit scoring performance of the season, a 114–97 win over Cornell. The offense came alive in a fast-moving game, but it also exposed some cracks — namely rebounding lapses and a lack of defensive toughness, two areas that had been cornerstones for MSU early on.
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Prior to Cornell, the Spartans hadn’t allowed more than 72 points in a game. The Big Red walked into East Lansing and dropped 53 in the first half alone.
MSU’s lone loss on the season — and the only loss between either team entering Friday — came nearly a month ago at home against Duke, a 66–60 defeat.
The Spartans are led by point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., who ranks second nationally in assists per game (9.3). He’s one of just two players in the country averaging nine or more assists, alongside Purdue’s Braden Smith (9.5).
Leading Michigan State in both scoring and rebounding is Jaxon Kohler — better known as the Kohler Bear. He’s averaging 13.7 points per game and pulling down 10.3 rebounds, the latter ranking him 12th nationally.
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Nebraska enters the matchup riding a 13-game winning streak, highlighted by wins over then-No. 13 Illinois and Wisconsin.
The Huskies are powered by Pryce Sandfort and Rienk Mast, who each average 16.5 points per game. Mast also leads Nebraska on the glass at 6.8 rebounds per contest, while Sandfort adds 5.0 boards per game, good for third on the team.
Three-point shooting will be a major storyline. Nebraska is tied for 40th nationally, making 10.3 threes per game. Michigan State, meanwhile, sits tied for 210th at just 7.7 made triples per game.
For the Spartans, size has to matter. MSU ranks 11th nationally in rebounds per game (39.7) and tied for 13th in offensive rebounds (12.7). Nebraska, by comparison, ranks tied for 244th in offensive rebounding at 8.9 per game.
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Both teams average over 80 points per contest, setting the stage for a late-night Big Ten battle.
Prediction
This is a fun one to stay up for. Whether you’re dragging yourself into work tomorrow or enjoying the midpoint of an extended break, there’s plenty to look forward to at 9 PM. Two ranked Big Ten teams, a late-night tip, and contrasting styles — you couldn’t ask for much more.
Behind rebounding and a newly found offensive rhythm, I’ve got the Spartans pulling this one out — but it’s going to be a marathon.
Michigan State 84 Nebraska 79
