Rivalry Sunday

Ok, so it's Super Bowl Sunday but I'm a bit more excited for the Michigan-MSU basketball matchup than the big football game. I think the Patriots win the big game because despite all the hype I do not think Eli is on the same level as Brady. The Giants have a good team around their qb but there is an important revenge factor here which will motivate the Pats to get it done.

More important to this blog is the outcome of the basketball matchup tomorrow. Both squads are within a game of OSU for the league lead in standings and the winner of this game will stay right in the mix for a conference title.

Draymond Green has been adding some drama to this matchup. First he guaranteed victory immediately after Michigans's win two weeks ago. Now he is back at it saying only death can keep him out while declaring his hatred for Michigan and saying he has the Wolverines figured out. That's a lot of talk for a guy who is .500 in his career vs the Wolverines and who has lost the last three.

Still, Green's Spartans have a very good chance to back up their leader in this game. They simply do not lose at home and Michigan is going to see the Spartans give their best effort of the season. However, I would not pencil in a Spartan victory just yet. We've seen in the last few matchups that Michigan too puts great emphasis on this game and that Michigan presents some matchup difficulties for the Spartans.

This should be a game filled with great emotion and effort and probably some good basketball as well.

Two things to keep your eye on:

1. MSU's edge on the offensive glass. The Spartans will get second chance points but are they dominating the game on the offensive boards? This is a huge key in the game.

2. Are the threes dropping for the Wolverines? It's a common theme for Michigan but when they shoot well (especially Tim Hardaway Jr) they are a very good team. They will need to be just that to win in the Breslin this year.

I think the crowd and MSU's size and will (after losing 3 straight) are too much for the Wolverines in this game. Spartans by 6.

Tbone  here.  I would say all this is pretty much spot on.   I will add that the crowd at the Breslin is going to be fired up and I fully expect MSU to come out hot. It remains to be seen how effective Draymond is with his hurt knee.  However, Dawson, if he continues his current streak of playing should give UM fits and could take over the game.  I look for Appling to rebound from his last game against UM and the loss at Illinois. He has been a great contributor all season, and makes this Spartan team nearly un beatable when he is playing at his best.  When he plays at  his worst?  The team looks lost.  

I see the game prediction similar to Pat's.  I will take a 10 point MSU victory though just to make it a little different and regain control of the background for a time.  GO GREEN!