Michigan State vs. Michigan: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The No. 19 Michigan Wolverines will host the No. 9 Michigan State Spartans in a major Big Ten clash between two teams battling for the top spot in the conference. Both squads are coming off surprising losses to seemingly inferior conference opponents, so this figures to be a big game for either side.

Michigan State was upset by a solid Northwestern team on the road on Saturday in what was the Spartans' first loss since Nov. 15 against Duke. Michigan State had been rolling up until the loss to the Wildcats as it had won 15 consecutive games. Even after the defeat, though, the Spartans are still minor favorites on the road against Michigan.

The Wolverines were downed easily by Iowa on Saturday after impressive wins over Wisconsin and Northwestern. Michigan is a tough team to figure out since the majority of its wins have been against cupcakes, but it has performed well against top teams like Duke and Indiana in losing efforts.

Both teams seem to be NCAA tournament-bound barring some unforeseen collapse, but a win in a rivalry game is always huge. For all intents and purposes this is a pick 'em game, so it should be a close one until the closing buzzer.

Where: Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3.com

Listen: WJR 960 AM (Michigan State) and WWJ 950 AM (Michigan)

Betting Line: Michigan State (-1)

Michigan State Key Injuries (According to USA Today): No injuries to report

Michigan Key Injuries (According to USA Today): F Jon Horford (foot) out

What's at Stake?

With a fairly lengthy slate of Big Ten games still on tap, a win or loss wouldn't be particularly massive or devastating for either team, but it could be a big confidence boost moving forward. Both teams are coming off crushing defeats in games they were clearly expected to win, so the loser will have the unfortunate distinction of a two-game losing streak.

The Spartans are favored and are still considered by most to be the superior basketball team. Because of that I think there is a bit more pressure on them to come out on top. The Wolverines have been playing second fiddle to Michigan State in basketball ever since the "Fab Five" days, so a win could signify a changing of the guards of sorts.

What They're Saying

Although Michigan State and Michigan are better known for their football rivalry, things are beginning to heat up once again on the hardwood as well. With both teams in the Top 20, Tuesday's matchup means more than any Michigan State vs. Michigan clash in quite some time. That fact was driven home by Michigan state head coach Tom Izzo, according to Joe Rexrode of the Lansing State Journal.

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"Do I respect (Michigan head coach) John Beilein? Tremendously. Do I respect Michigan? Tremendously. Do I like them? Not one bit."

"I don't like anything about Michigan and they don't like anything about us. That's just the way it is. And that's the way it should be."

 

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Michigan State Player to Watch: F Draymond Green

For the past several years forward Draymond Green has been the ultimate glue player for Michigan State. He is the type of player who does everything well and creates mismatch problems all over the floor. That continues to be true this season, but his role has been expanded even further as he is now the unquestioned leader of the team.

Green leads the team in scoring with nearly 16 points per game and rebounding with over 10 per game. He is also first in steals and blocks and second in assists. If any player in college basketball can accurately be called a jack of all trades, it's Green. He is able to excel both inside and outside, so Green's success will likely mirror the Spartans' success in this game.

Michigan Player to Watch: G Tim Hardaway Jr.

The Wolverines rely quite heavily on their guard play with sophomore shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. leading the way. Hardaway has already begun to develop into the elite scorer that Michigan fans had hoped as he leads the team with 15.7 points per game. Hardaway is also the Wolverines' biggest threat from beyond the arc as he has drilled 30 trifectas on the year.

While Michigan has a few interior players that can chip in offensively, none is capable of taking over a game like Hardaway. The Spartans have always played great perimeter defense under Tom Izzo so it won't be easy for Hardaway to light up the scoreboard, but if he can at least score his average then the Wolverines will be in pretty good shape.

Key Matchup: Keith Appling vs. Trey Burke

Perhaps the most compelling matchup that will take place on the floor on Tuesday is between the two young and talented point guards involved in the game. For Michigan State that player is sophomore Keith Appling, who is second on the team in scoring and first in assists. On the other side, freshman Trey Burke has been a revelation for the Wolverines, as he is averaging over 14 points and nearly five assists in his first season.

Both players are excellent facilitators at a young age and they are truly responsible for making their respective offenses go. If one is able to get the upper hand on the other, then it will give that team a major advantage in the game. Burke is probably the better player at this point, so Appling needs only to play him to a stalemate to help the Spartans.

Prediction

Michigan State 70, Michigan 65