We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, display personalized content and targeted advertising, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences are coming from. To find out more or to unsubscribe, read our cookie policy. Please also read our privacy notice and terms of use, which came into effect on December 20, 2019.
The 10/11 Michigan State Spartans (9-2) are in Detroit Tuesday night at Little Caesars Arena to face the Oakland Grizzlies (7-3) at 7:30 p.m. For those not attending the game, the game can only be watched through the ESPN subscription service or for residents of the local Detroit metro with a live antenna, you can also watch on WYMD, TV20 Detroit.
The game marks the 20th all-time (MSU is 19-0) meeting between programs in a series dating back to November 17, 1998. However, there have been many competitive clashes in recent times despite the lopsided record. Three of the last nine games have been decided by less than 10 points. One of those games also had to go into overtime before ending in a 99-93 victory for MSU on December 22, 2015. This game was played at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the last of the series to take place there.
Both teams enter this one well rested, even to the point where rust could become a problem. Oakland opened the season with 10 games in 28 days and has been on leave for 14 days before tonight’s game. Michigan State, meanwhile, has played 11 games in the first 33 days of the season and has been out for the past 10 days.
When it comes to the Grizzlies’ scoring threats, three players have a double-digit average this season. Marquette’s transfer, graduate forward Jamal Cain, leads the team in points and rebounds, placing eighth nationally with 21.2 points per game and 11th nationally in rebounds with 10.5 rebounds per. match. Junior guard Jalen Moore is second on the team in scoring (13.7) and steals (2.3) and leads in assists with 6.9 assists per game. Freshman Trey Townsend is third on the team at 13.3 points per game and third in rebounds at 6.4 rebounds per game.
Oakland has also had tough opponents in a close game so far. Road trips to Morgantown, West Virginia, to face the Mountaineers on November 9, ended in a 60-53 loss, while a quick trip on November 12 to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to face the Oklahoma State was a narrow 56-55 victory. The Grizzlies also feature a 74-69 home loss to Eastern Michigan and an 86-59 road loss to Alabama on Nov. 19.
While Oakland often plays against the Spartans, this one should prove difficult for Oakland, the state of Michigan presenting the country’s No.6 adjusted defense by KenPom. Overall, MSU ranks very well among its Big Ten peers in the defensive categories, ranking 5th in defensive scorers (63.9 points per game), 3rd in goal defense percentage on the field (38.4%), in 3rd place of three points. percentage of goals in defense (26.6%), No. 4 in rebound margin (8.50 rebounds per game) and No. 1 in blocked shots (6.73 blocks per game).
RADIO: Spartan Media Network Play-by-Play: Will Tieman Analyst: Matt Steigenga Website / Mobile: msuspartans.com/MSU Spartans app / Tune In radio Flagship Stations: Lansing: WMMQ (94.9 FM) / WJIM (1240 AM) ; Detroit: WJR (760 AM); Grand Rapids: WBFX (101.3 FM) Affiliates: 30 affiliates listed on msuspartans.com Satellite: Ch. 136 (Sirius), Ch. 958 (SiriusXM.com.App)
Another clash with the Golden Grizzlies tomorrow night! Back on this one from 2015 ️ pic.twitter.com/h2i8GxERv8
