Hoosiers Face Early Road Test Against the Spartans in Big Ten Opener

As if traveling to East Lansing to open up the Big Ten season wasn't enough of a challenge for the No. 13-ranked Indiana Hoosiers (12-0), they're now going to be asked to do it while missing two of their key players. 

Will Sheehey will miss Wednesday's opener against No. 16-ranked Michigan State (11-2) as well as Saturday's contest against Ohio State with his lower leg injury. And though Verdell Jones III is listed as day-to-day at this time with his hip flexor injury, he's not expected to play tomorrow night either.

If Indiana is to continue their undefeated streak tomorrow night, it will have to come at a venue where they haven't had much success. The Hoosiers haven't won a game in the Breslin Center since 1991, though they were one free throw by Jeremiah Rivers away from a win there earlier this January.

Tom Izzo's team got off to a tough start with double-digit losses to North Carolina and Duke in their first two games. But they seem to have figured it out since then, winning each of their last 11 games, including a 16-point win over Florida State and a big road win against Gonzaga.

The Spartans got hit with a lot of attrition in the offseason. They lost their rock-steady senior leader Kalin Lucas to graduation, along with Durrell Summers. And after Korey Lucious and Kris Allen transferred to Iowa State, and Delvon Roe called it quits due to recurring knee injuries, it looked as though Izzo's team was going to struggle to find an identity this season.

They seem to have found it, thanks to the heart and soul of this team in Draymond Green.

The do-it-all senior is averaging 15.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game this season. He can beat you from anywhere on the court in a variety of ways, and it will be a great chance for Christian Watford to prove how far his defense has come since last season.

Watford had his best overall game of the season against the Spartans last year, before exiting early due to a fracture in his hand. The Hoosiers will need a similar performance this season with Sheehey and Jones III watching from the sidelines.

Michigan State's backcourt isn't as strong as we have gotten used to over the years. Sophomore point guard Keith Appling is quick with the ball but has had some turnover issues this season. Both he and senior transfer Brandon Wood are scoring threats for the Spartans, but because Appling is more dangerous off the dribble, Victor Oladipo will most likely draw the assignment on him.

The thing to look for in this game will be how Tom Izzo wants to match up with Cody Zeller. It will most likely be Adreian Payne or Derrick Nix to start the game on Zeller. Though they have size and strength on Cody, Indiana would be wise to get the ball to Zeller early and often, as his quickness is liable to get the duo into foul trouble.

The real worry in this game for Tom Crean and Indiana will be Branden Dawson. The 6'6" freshman is as strong and tough as they come. If you want a comparison, he's the Spartans' version of Kentucky's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

Dawson will end up being one of the best offensive rebounders in the Big Ten this season. And with the way the Hoosiers struggled to keep Kidd-Gilchrist off the offensive glass, this matchup has a chance to be a big problem for Indiana.

Due to injury issues, the Hoosiers are going to have to rely on contributions from players who haven't had a whole lot of meaningful playing time this season. Because of Remy Abell's ability on the defensive end, he should see an increased role in this game. Matt Roth is another player to keep an eye out for. He was a big lift off the bench last year at Michigan State (12 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting), and Indiana may need a repeat of that tomorrow.

It doesn't matter how well Indiana played in their non-conference schedule, many aren't buying the hype until they can prove it in Big Ten play. The Hoosiers are certainly going to get their chance, as they play their first three conference games against top 20 teams in the next eight days. And though it's fair for Indiana fans to be skeptical, they're eventually going to have to admit that this team is good.

This article originally appeared on Hoosier Cafe