The No. 16 Michigan State Spartans (12-2) hit the road for their first Big Ten road game when they visit the Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-4) on Saturday afternoon.
The Spartans enter the game on a roll, looking for their 13th-straight win while trying to follow up the strong effort they put forth in a win over Indiana on Wednesday to open up Big Ten play. Life on the road in the Big Ten is always a challenge so getting off to a strong start away from the Breslin Center today will help keep Michigan State among the title contenders.
Nebraska had a rough introduction to Big Ten play this past Tuesday when No. 11 Wisconsin came into the Devaney Center in Lincoln and easily handled the short-handed Cornhuskers 64-40. Nebraska has struggled with injuries and played Wisconsin without guard Dylan Tally or big men Jorge Brian Diaz and Andre Almeida. Both Diaz and Tally remain questionable to return today.
Guard Bo Spencer leads Nebraska's offense with 15.1 points per game, as Coach Doc Seller prefers the Cornhuskers to slow things down with a deliberate offensive game plan. Michigan State should be able to control the tempo but should also be plenty comfortable playing a slower pace and leaning on their interior strength with Draymond Green and Derrick Nix.
Sophomore guard Keith Appling has picked his play up of late playing a huge role in Michigan State's win over Indiana. Appling finished with 25 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds against the Hoosiers.
The game tips off at 3:00 p.m. ET and will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
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