Michigan State Basketball: 5-Step Plan to Winning Big Ten Title

Winning the Big Ten is an uphill climb, especially this season. 

With five teams ranked in the top 20, the conference crown will be difficult to claim. Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State are the top four, and it's likely that one of those teams will hoist a Big Ten regular-season banner. 

But don't count out Minnesota, which went down-to-the-wire with the Spartans on Wednesday night, losing a physical battle 61-50 at the Breslin Center. 

However, for the sake of being realistic, let's say the Gophers (5-5 in the B1G) won't catch two-loss teams like the Spartans and Wolverines. The Buckeyes have three losses but still have a shot. The Hoosiers, on the other hand, are in a class by themselves, perched atop league standings with a sparkling 8-1 record. 

[Big Ten standings, courtesy of BigTen.org]

If the Spartans want a piece of the action, they'll have to play at a higher level than they have in their past two games. With the Wolverines waiting for Tuesday's battle, it's imperative that Michigan State stay true to its winning ways in East Lansing by not letting Trey Burke and Co. leave with a victory. 

There are steps—let's say five—to climbing the ladder and earning a B1G championship. Can the Spartans do it? It's possible, but they'll have to abide by the five following guidelines in order to achieve league supremacy. 

Play Like the Wisconsin Badgers (Classic Bo Ryan Ball)

Turnovers lead to losses. 

Losses lead to being knocked out of contention for league titles. 

It's as simple as that, really. 

One reason why the Wisconsin Badgers have been traditional contenders has been due to their ball control, not necessarily scoring more points than the other team—but that certainly helps. 

During Wednesday night's 61-50 win over Minnesota, the Spartans had approximately 56 possessions (by my count) and just five turnovers. That's a signature of Badgers coach Bo Ryan; frustrating opponents pays dividends. 

The Spartans were able to defend the Breslin Center from being Gophered because of the way they maintained possession of the ball. 

And they didn't give it away—again, something that helps. 

One thing that Michigan State and Wisconsin have in common—along with the rest of the B1G—is that they both play basketball with a football-like mentality. 

The Spartans probably won't pour 80 points on high-scoring teams like Indiana. Going bucket-for-bucket with Michigan and Ohio State isn't an ideal scenario, either. 

However, slowing down the game, grinding it out one possession at a time, is a recipe for success—and it could lead Michigan State to the Big Ten's Promised Land. 

Get Healthy

This one is obvious, but getting fully healthy—or as close to it as possible—is necessary for the Spartans.

Travis Trice missed Wednesday night's game with concussion-like symptoms. He missed five games earlier this year due to concussion. 

He'll be needed for his defense, energy and speed in transition. The Spartans missed his presence on the floor while struggling against the Gophers. 

Bumps and bruises are part of the game. The Big Ten conference's style of play causes injuries. That's just how it goes. 

Gary Harris battled back spasms, but he still scored a team-high 15 points (12 from three-point distance) against Minnesota. However, it was clear that he wasn't 100 percent. He grimaced, winced and gritted his teeth while running the floor. 

Michigan State needs it to return to full health in order to combat the league's juggernauts like Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana. 

Keith Appling was helped off the court, gripping his left arm, in the second half of the Minnesota game. By the looks of things, Appling could have dislocated his left shoulder. With his arm hanging in an awkward manner, Appling was in obvious pain as he made the trip to the locker room. 

Now, only a doctor or trainer can make the call, but others who witnessed Appling's misfortune came to the same conclusion: He likely dislocated his left shoulder. 

"

RT @jamiecornaire: Just saw Appling dislocate his shoulder.#spartans

— Ronda Bowen (@Ronda_Bowen) February 7, 2013"

Play with Sense of Urgency

This goes without saying, but the Spartans haven't dialed up their maximum level of intensity for Tom Izzo's liking. 

During a post-game interview with the BTN Network on Wednesday night, Izzo said the Spartans "played one of their worst halves" that he's seen in quite some time. That's true. Despite one turnover, Michigan State faced a 20-18 deficit and were in danger of falling to the Gophers. 

It wasn't until seven minutes into the second half that Michigan State started to compete in true form.

Look back at the Illinois game: The Spartans were down 37-27—at home, again—to the Illini. Again, it took a second half explosion to get past an unranked foe, and it was heavily aided by Keith Appling's late-game heroics in the form of free-throws and game-high 24 points.

Efforts like those don't typically end favorably. However, the magic of the Breslin Center bailed out Michigan State. Playing like on the road won't end as rosy. The Spartans can rely on Appling to make circus shots, but Appling shouldn't be the only reliable bailout. 

More effort, more consistency, and a more urgent approach is needed.

Split with Michigan and Indiana

Michigan State has already lost to Indiana, but that game was in Bloomington. 

That 75-70 loss showed that the Spartans can hang with elite B1G teams, and despite a hostile crowd, they nearly escaped with a victory over Tom Crean's Hoosiers. 

Victor Oladipo happens. 

But Indiana is better than it was on Jan. 27. The Hoosiers are playing at a clip unmatched by any other team in the Big Ten. 

The crucial rematch on Feb. 19 will paint a vivid picture of the Spartans' future. A split with Crean's crew is a must. 

The same can be said about John Beilein's Wolverines, who just slugged their way to a 76-74 overtime victory over Ohio State on Tuesday night. Michigan lost 81-73 at Indiana, but it took a strong second half for Indiana to advance.

Winning the in-state rivalry is important, but the Spartans have to view the Wolverines as just another obstacle in the way of the desired result: A B1G title. 

Games versus Michigan and Indiana

Feb. 12 vs. Michigan

Feb. 19 vs. Indiana

March 2 at Michigan

Izzo Has to Go with His Gut, Put More Trust in Denzel Valentine

Tom Izzo knows what he's doing. 

Giving him coaching advice is like telling the IRS how to do its own taxes.

But he owes it to himself to see what one of his freshmen is really made of.

Denzel Valentine is an intelligent player. He's reluctant at times, afraid to make a mistake in fear of being yanked from the floor like a bad act at the Apollo—but he's good. Very good. 

Izzo has compared Valentine to Magic Johnson. If that's how he truly feels—and it wasn't just a feel-good statement to support another Lansing native turned Spartans hoopster like Magic—then he should show more confidence in Valentine. 

The former Lansing Sexton standout has given Michigan State productive minutes off the bench, despite a paltry 5.3 points per game average. He was valuable Wednesday night -- just to use a recent example -- as a reserve. The Spartans struggled, but Valentine's defense and bench-high eight points (the only bench points) helped them conquer the Gophers. 

His 14 points against Illinois helped the Spartans avoid embarrassment at the Breslin Center courtesy of Illinois. 

As Michigan State's best reserve, Valentine needs to get comfortable while Travis Trice is out with concussion-like symptoms. 

You don't tug on Superman's cape, and you certainly don't tell Izzo how to do his job....but Valentine has earned his stripes. Maybe it's time to trust the kid. 

Follow Bleacher Report's Michigan State Spartans basketball writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81