Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Basketball: Big Ten Tournament preview

By Jonathan Rothschild

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - JANUARY 25: Archie Miller the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers gives instructions to his team against the Michigan Wolverines at Assembly Hall on January 25, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - JANUARY 25: Archie Miller the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers gives instructions to his team against the Michigan Wolverines at Assembly Hall on January 25, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – MARCH 02: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball against Rob Phinisee #10 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on March 2, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – MARCH 02: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball against Rob Phinisee #10 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on March 2, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Quarter-Final

If the Hoosiers can get past Ohio State, they have to play Michigan State on Friday in what would be a 22 hour turnaround.

Michigan State is 25-6 on the season but two of the six losses have surprisingly come against the Hoosiers.

The Spartans have Nick Ward, who was just named third team all-conference, coming back from a broken hand after missing the last five games. Averaging 15.1 points  and 6.7 rebounds per game, having Ward back will bring back the inside and rebounding game that the Spartans love so much.

Coming into the matchup, Coach Izzo said he fully expects Ward to play.

"“I’m 99 percent sure he’s going to play unless there’s a setback.”"

The key to beating Michigan State will be tough defense (in the post as well as on the perimeter) as well as making Cassius Winston uncomfortable all game long, as Rob Phinisee showed in their previous matchup.

The Spartans will certainly make adjustments if they face Indiana after the losses at the Breslin Center as well as at Assembly Hall.

MSU is on a two game winning streak after beating the Michigan Wolverines by 12. The game at the United Center also will be a much easier atmosphere to play in than the one at Assembly Hall less than two weeks ago.

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