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Indiana Basketball vs. Michigan State: 3 matchups to watch

By Trevor Gersmehl

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 02: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Devonte Green #11 of the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half at Breslin Center on February 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 02: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Devonte Green #11 of the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half at Breslin Center on February 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 17: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket in the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Breslin Center on January 17, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 17: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket in the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Breslin Center on January 17, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Indiana’s Frontcourt vs. Michigan State’s Frontcourt

Michigan State is one of the only teams that has the size to adequately matchup with Indiana’s frontcourt. Their front line of Gabe Brown (6’7”), Xavier Tillman (6’8”), and Marcus Bingham Jr. (6’11”) nearly mirrors the size of Justin Smith, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Joey Brunk.

That being said, the equality in size doesn’t necessarily mean the post is automatically neutralized.

Purdue’s Trevion Williams and Wisconsin’s Nate Reuvers both had great games against Michigan State, scoring 16 and 19 points respectively.

Reuvers did most of his damage from the perimeter, which IU can’t replicate, but Williams killed MSU with his hook shot and created open shots for others with great passing from the post. Indiana should look to build a game plan around that strategy as well, considering Purdue won that game by 29 points.

Joey Brunk and Trayce Jackson-Davis must constantly keep an eye peeled when they are backing their man down in the post, and the guards must keep moving and cutting after the ball is entered down low. That appears to be a formula to success against Michigan State.

Trayce Jackson-Davis will also likely draw Xavier Tillman as a matchup, which would be his toughest defensive assignment to date. Tillman is averaging 13.9 points and 10.0 rebounds per game and will make Jackson-Davis work hard to beat him, especially with his length around the basket.

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