Nebraska @ Michigan St. preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 23, 2017 ) Nebraska 72, Michigan St 88

Two of the three Big Ten teams to come away from the Big Ten/ACC Challenge with victories face off when Nebraska travels to face No. 3 Michigan State in the league opener for both teams Sunday. The Cornhuskers defeated Boston College in their game on Wednesday, while the Spartans routed No. 5 Notre Dame in the final contest of the Challenge on Thursday.

Nebraska has been on a hot streak, winning three straight and averaging 79.3 points while shooting 51 percent from the field over that stretch. The Cornhuskers have four players averaging in double figures, led by guards James Palmer Jr. (14.3 points) and Glynn Watson Jr. (13.8, team-best 3.9 assists). Michigan State is also on a roll, having defeated two straight top 10 teams (North Carolina and Notre Dame) by holding them both more than 20 points below their season averages. Forward Miles Bridges (15 points, 6.7 rebounds) is the star of the Spartans' show, but guard Joshua Langford may be the most dangerous player on the floor for coach Tom Izzo, having averaged 20 points over those two outings.

TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT NEBRASKA (6-2, 0-0 Big Ten): The Cornhuskers have been playing well, but coach Tim Miles is still looking for more consistency from his squad. In the win over Boston College, Nebraska went 6:03 in the second half without a point, missing seven straight shots and turning the ball over three times before turning it around and holding off the Eagles. Miles was especially happy with the team's defense down the stretch, as they went on a 12-0 run thanks to a 5:56 BC scoreless streak that put the game away, showing how good the team can be when they're able to keep it together for long stretches.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (6-1, 0-0): Bridges gets the headlines and freshman Jaren Jackson Jr. is getting the NBA buzz, but the Spartans' engine goes because of the play of sophomore point guard Cassius Winston. Winston is averaging 7.4 assists along with 12.9 points and has shown the ability to make clutch shots, including taking over down the stretch with 18 of Michigan State's final 26 points in a semifinal win over Connecticut in the PK80 Invitational. Winston has also developed as a shooter, leading the Spartans with 16 3-pointers on a team-best 57.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc, making him a threat when the ball is kicked out from the post.

TIP-INS

1. With Watson and Evan Taylor (3.1 assists), Nebraska has two players averaging more than three assists per game for the first time since 2012.

2. Michigan State is shooting a league-best 50.6 percent, led by forwards Xavier Tillman (.667) and Nick Ward (.661).

3. Izzo earned his 550th career victory with the Spartans' win over Notre Dame.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 80, Nebraska 60