Duke @ Michigan St. preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 31, 2019 ) Michigan St 68, Duke 67

No. 8 Duke and No. 12 Michigan State square off in East Lansing Tuesday night as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge in a rematch of last season's memorable Elite Eight battle won by the Spartans. Both teams are hoping to gain some momentum after losses in the last week, though the Blue Devils won their last game over the weekend over Winthrop while the Spartans have won two straight, over Georgia and UCLA.

Freshman big man Vernon Carey Jr. is leading the Blue Devils in both scoring (18.4 points) and rebounding (9.5), and it will be interesting to see the reception he gets after Michigan State was one of the finalists when he was picking a college to attend. Point guard Tre Jones is leading the ACC in steals with 2.1 per game, is second in assists with 6.9 and is averaging 15.1 points per game. Jones being matched up with Cassius Winston will be fun, with the senior point guard leading the Spartans with 17.9 points and 6 assists per game. The ability of junior forward Xavier Tillman to be physical with Carey and stay out of foul trouble will be key as well, with Tillman averaging 12.3 points and 10 rebounds.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

ABOUT DUKE (7-1): The Blue Devils were able to bounce back from their loss to Stephen F. Austin last week with their win over Winthrop, but it cost them the health of freshman Cassius Stanley, who suffered a leg injury that will likely keep him out until the end of the month. Stanley ranks third on the team with 14.1 points per game, so coach Mike Krzyzewski will need to find some more offense to replace Stanley's production. Sophomore Joey Baker had a career-high 16 points in the win over Winthrop and may be in line for a move to the starting lineup for this game.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (5-2): The aggressiveness -- or lack thereof -- of sophomore forward Aaron Henry could be the key to Michigan State's success in this game and the rest of the season. Henry can fade into the mix and allow the rest of the Spartans to take most of the shots on the offensive end, but the team is at its best when Henry is looking for his shot, either from the perimeter or driving to the hoop, where he can finish or pass to a teammate. Henry had a season-high 18 points in the Spartans' loss to Virginia Tech in the Maui Invitational last week and has averaged 13 points and 2.3 assists over the last three games since he came back from being out with two sprained ankles.

TIP-INS

1. Duke freshman F Matthew Hurt scored a career-high 20 points in the win over Winthrop.

2. The Spartans lead the Big Ten and rank seventh nationally with their average of 18.4 assists per game.

3. Michigan State is 8-11 all-time in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, including an 0-4 mark against the Blue Devils.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 77, Duke 72