huskeraddict
All-Conference
February 16, 2014
2pm CT - BTN
Breslin Center (14,797) - East Lansing, MI
Nebraska Cornhuskers 13-10, 5-6 (Last: W 67-58 vs Illinois)
vs
#9 Michigan State Spartans 21-4, 10-2 (Last: W 85-70 vs Northwestern)
Big Ten Standings
#9 Michigan State 10-2, 21-4
#15 Michigan 10-2, 18-6
#16 Iowa 8-4, 19-6
#21 Wisconsin 7-5, 20-5
#22 Ohio State 7-6, 20-6
Nebraska 5-6, 13-10
Minnesota 5-7, 16-9
Purdue 5-7, 15-10
Northwestern 5-7, 12-13
Indiana 4-8, 14-11
Penn State 4-9, 13-13
Illinois 3-10, 14-12
Head Coaches
Nebraska Tim Miles (311-248, 28-28 at Nebraska)
Michigan State Tom Izzo (460-182 at Michigan State)
Injury Report
Nebraska
No injuries to report
Michigan State
G - Keith Appling - Wrist - Questionable
G - Branden Dawson - Hand - Out
Scouting Michigan State
Under Tom Izzo, the Spartans have been one of the flagship programs in the Big Ten. The Spartans have made six Final Fours in the last 15 seasons and made 16 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. MSU returned four starters from a team that won 27 games and reached the Sweet 16 last year. The Spartans were the overwhelming preseason choice to win the Big Ten, but have battled injuries during the course of the season.
Despite having to use 14 lineups during the season, MSU has continued to roll along. The Spartans won 11 straight until falling to Michigan on Jan. 25, while their only other Big Ten loss came on a buzzer beater at Wisconsin on Feb. 9. Both of those losses came when MSU was missing two starters. Currently, senior point Keith Appling and Branden Dawson are both out but could return in the next two weeks. Sunday’s matchup is the only one of the season between the two teams, as the Spartans are one of Nebraska’s four single-play foes in 2013-14.
The Spartans are second in the Big Ten in scoring offense, totaling 78 points per game. MSU is among the league leaders in both field goal percentage (.471, third) and 3-point percentage (.387, 2nd). Michigan State is also strong on the defensive end, ranking second in the Big Ten in field goal defense (.389) as well as steals (7.6 per game).
Sophomore Gary Harris is one of the favorites for Big Ten player of the year, as he averages 17.4 points per game, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. MSU also features one of the nation’s top big men in Adreian Payne, who averages 16.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game and is averaging close to 20 points per game since his return to the lineup three games ago.
