Big Ten Tournament 2012: Keys to Beating Top-Seeded Michigan State

The Michigan State Spartans had the Big Ten all but locked up before they lost their final two games in the regular season, resulting in a share of the regular-season title with Michigan and Ohio State.

As if there was any doubt they would, the Spartans responded with a dominant win over Iowa in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament. With their late-season stumble now squarely in the past, Michigan State looks primed to make a run at winning the Big Ten tournament.

But the Spartans are certainly not unbeatable. Teams both in the Big Ten tournament and in the upcoming NCAA tournament should know that there are several ways to get the better of Michigan State

Here's a helpful guide.

Start Fast

The Spartans are a second-half team. Just take a look at the numbers.

Per TeamRankings.com, the Spartans typically scored better in the second half than they did in the first half, and they typically allowed fewer points in the second half than in the first half.

Indiana demonstrated how beneficial a fast start can be against Michigan State. The Hoosiers opened up a 14-point lead over the Spartans in their win over them in late February and seemed to be on their way to a blowout, but Michigan State kept the game from getting out of hand with a strong second half.

Sadly, it was too late. The Spartans were in too deep of a hole heading into the half to make a comeback. 

Beat Them on the Boards

This is Basketball 101, but it's particularly true in Michigan State's case. 

Beating the Spartans on the boards is beating them at their own game. The Spartans ranked 21st in the country in rebounding during the regular season, and they excelled in particular on the defensive end. They ranked No. 9 in the nation in defensive rebounding.

But what we saw in Michigan State's two late-season losses is that the playing field is leveled significantly when the Spartans lose the rebound battle. They lost it against Indiana, and lost the game. They lost it against Ohio State, and lost the game.

Basketball 101 indeed, but some trends simply cannot be ignored.

Make Them Get Hot from Distance

The Spartans finished 33rd in the country in field-goal percentage this season, and that was due in large part to their work inside the three-point line. Michigan State shot better than 50 percent inside the arc.

Outside the arc, on the other hand, was a struggle. The Spartans were anything but efficient beyond the arc, as they shot just 35.5 percent as a team from three. 

A team won't be able to do much if the Spartans get hot from three, but that's something that's worth the risk. Michigan State couldn't get hot from three against Indiana or Ohio State, and they were awful from three when they lost to Illinois.

Making Michigan State go cold from beyond the arc is something that will be easier said than done, but forcing Spartans players to settle for outside shots in the first place will be considerably easier.

Mob Draymond Green

You only need one hand to count the number of bad games Draymond Green had throughout the course of the season. He was consistent, and he was largely dominant.

Green has been particularly good recently, posting double-doubles in three of Michigan State's last four games. In the one game he didn't post a double-double, he scored 29 points and pulled down eight rebounds.

There's no doubt about it. When Green is at his best, the Spartans are at their best. Any team that is able to limit him in any way is going to have a much easier time beating the Spartans.

But good luck with that.