Michigan-Michigan State: Can the Wolverines Pull the In-State Upset?

As the Michigan State Spartans sit on their lonely pedestal atop the Big Ten conference, in-state rival Michigan wants to knock gang green out of the ranks of the undefeated.

While it definitely will not be an easy task for the Wolverines to knock off Sparty in Ann Arbor, the good news is that Big Ten leading scorer Manny Harris will rejoin his team after being suspended for Michigan’s previous game—a 69-59 loss to Purdue on Saturday.

What Harris did to warrant a suspension is still unknown. All everybody outside the team knows is that he did something in practice Friday which ticked off coach John Beilein.

But that is all in the past now. Harris must put his recent suspension in the back of his head as the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, Kalin Lucas, and company come to town after a big win at Minnesota.

And although the Spartans are undefeated in conference play and ranked No. 5 in the nation as of the most recent poll, it has not been the smoothest of rides. Even coach Tom Izzo is unsure what to think of his squad’s recent performances.

The Spartans are chalked full of talent at nearly every position, with the only real exception being a dominant player in the paint. Freshman Derrick Nix has showed glimpses in his giant frame and Delvon Roe has showed potential in his time in East Lansing as well, but neither player can create mismatches on the offensive end.

Besides Harris, the Spartans will need to contain forward DeShawn Sims. Sims is a big body with a decent jumper and aggressive post moves. However, he and Harris can’t do it alone.

Players like Zach Novak and Laval Lucas-Perry will need to step up and significantly contribute. You have to believe Izzo is planning to shutdown either Harris or Sims altogether, prompting the Wolverines’ supporting cast to make plays when it really matters.

If many of Michigan State’s playmakers get it going, then it could be a lopsided game. As the game against Minnesota showed all of us, the Spartans are a vulnerable team when some players don’t put in their fair share on the court.