Gophers vs. Michigan State
THREE THINGS TO WATCH:
MURPHY vs. BRIDGES– One of the many Miles Bridges' dunking highlights played over and over by Big Ten Network is of the star Michigan State freshman driving hard against Jordan Murphy and slamming the ball right over him. Murphy didn't jump. He barely looked bothered at all. That's the Murphy that was slumping. The Gophers' All-Big Ten sophomore seems to be a different player now. He's capable of doing the same thing against Michigan State with his athleticism and length. Murphy struggled in his last game in Sunday's loss at Wisconsin. But he was averaging 17 points and nearly 14 rebounds in the seven previous games. Bridges, this year's Big Ten Freshman of the Year, pointed to the last game against Minnesota as the turning point for him coming back from an ankle injury. The 6-7 forward has scored in double figures in 15 straight games since that Gophers' game Jan. 11.
THREE-POINT DEFENSE– The Spartans broke a school Big Ten record with 10 three-pointers Thursday in a 78-51 win against Penn State in the conference tournament. The Gophers led the Big Ten in three-point shooting defense (30.8), which was the best mark in school history. But they allowed Wisconsin to shoot 10-for-18 from beyond the arc in Sunday's 66-49 loss in Madison. That was only the second time in 18 Big Ten games that the Gophers allowed an opponent to make double-digit three-pointers in a game. No opponent during Minnesota's eight-game win streak shot better than 35 percent from three. Clearly there's a formula to winning for Richard Pitino's team and defending the three is critical to that.
REBOUNDING EDGE– What is one thing Tom Izzo's teams are known for the most? Probably rebounding. The Spartans haven't been as dominant in that area as in years past, ranking fifth in the Big Ten in rebounding margin (plus-3.5). But when Michigan State is controlling the boards it can be nearly impossible to stop. In the Jan. 11 loss in East Lansing, Minnesota was outrebounded 42-29, which was the worst in any Big Ten game this year. Minnesota ranks first in the conference in rebounding offense (40.1), but it has struggled to keep opposing teams off the offensive boards. Michigan State set a tourney program record with 44 rebounds against Penn State Thursday, including 18 boards combined from Bridges and Nick Ward.
GAME INFO
Time: 1:30 p.m. CT, Friday. Where: Verizon Center. Line: Gophers by 2. Series: Michigan State leads-68-59; Spartans won last meeting 65-47 Jan. 11, 2017 in East Lansing. TV: ESPN. Online/Live video: ESPNapp Radio: 1500ESPN.
PROJECTED STARTERS
