Michigan State Basketball: Spartans' Keys to Beating Maryland

Michigan State can take care of business on a few fronts Tuesday versus Maryland.

For starters, beating the No. 15-ranked Terps (12-1) would give the Spartans (9-4) their first victory over a Top 25 opponent this season.

On top of that, a win would serve as a proper way to close out 2014. Lastly, and perhaps more importantly, the clash at the Breslin Center allows head coach Tom Izzo to welcome Mark Turgeon’s club to the Big Ten.

Adding to the mood is a brief tournament history—the Spartans beat the Terps in the 2003 Sweet 16 and 2010 round of 32, so consider Tuesday the beginning of what could develop into one of the best rivalries in the Big Ten.

Team	Record	PPG	Strengths	Weaknesses
Michigan State	9-4 (6-1 home)	75	3 PT, ball movement	Inconsistent on boards/in paint
Maryland	12-1 (1-0 away)	74.8	Ability to score in bundles	Can't slam door on opponents

Get Trice Going

Al Goldis/Associated Press

Despite a recent slide during three of the past four games, Travis Trice has been the one to ignite the offense and energize the defense.

Now a senior, he appears to be much more confident with his abilities and accepting of his role within the team. While running on full, the 6’0”, 170-pounder is without question one of the best guards in the league.

The senior averages a modest 12.9 points per game but is capable of putting up many more when needed. Finding a way to fall into the game plan has always been one of Trice’s strengths. He’s at his best when he allows things to come naturally, rather than forcing things to happen.

Somehow, the ball has found Trice a lot thus far. He’s made the most of those opportunities by scoring 13 or more points eight times—topping out at 25—through 13 games. He’s scored 19 twice.

When he’s not looking for a bucket, he’s using his patience to set up teammates—and that willingness to wait has led to 5.9 assists per outing, a staggering (but early) jump from the career-high 2.3 he averaged as a junior in 2013-14.

Five of Maryland’s past six victories have been decided by 11 or fewer points, but Trice can help Michigan State create some distance.

Efficiency Throughout

Al Goldis/Associated Press

Winning the rebound game, free-throw game, foul game and the rest of the games within the game usually yields favorable final scores—all of that, of course, starts with players such as Bryn Forbes and Matt Costello.

Forbes, Izzo’s transfer from Cleveland State, shoots 85 percent from the stripe. He averages 10.2 points and hits 43.5 percent of three-point attempts.

A slightly better than average night from the 6’3”, 175-pound shooting guard should put the Spartans in good position versus the Terps. An exemplary outing from Costello would almost guarantee a win for Michigan State.

During his past five games, he’s scored no fewer than 10 points (17 high) and grabbed no fewer than three boards (10 high)—that’s a rather large window, so something closer to 15 and eight would probably satisfy Izzo more than 10 and five.

Two weeks ago, Branden Dawson fractured his left wrist during a 66-46 romp over Eastern Michigan. However, prior to exiting, the 6’6”, 225-pound senior forward scored four points and snagged seven boards in 18 minutes.

Those weren’t superstar numbers by any means, but they were efficient. Dawson didn’t have to score a lot during that game—he simply had to rebound and create for others.

Doing so versus Maryland, without overextending himself, would be an ideal way to move past yet another injury.

Stop the 3

Maryland likes to shoot a lot, too.

Guarding the perimeter will be a must as the Terps make 37.8 percent of their shots from long range. Melo Trimble and Jake Layman pose the biggest threat. Trimble knocks down roughly 43 percent of his attempts while Layman gets about 41.

Layman’s made 11 of his past 19 in his most recent five-game stretch. That warrants extra attention from the defense.

After making just one of nine in the previous four games, Trimble rebounded by sinking five of six during a 72-56 win over Oakland.

Together, they're one of the best scoring tandems on the Spartans' schedule. 

During their only loss, a 76-65 setback to then-No. 7-ranked Virginia, Trimble and Layman combined for 30 points, with Trimble's 16 leading the way. But they didn't make a single shot from outside, finishing the evening with seven failed tries.

Putting a lid on them—and the basket on which they'll shoot—could be Michigan State’s best chance at sending its visitors back to the Eastern Seaboard with a loss.

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