Houston Christian @ Michigan St. preview

No. 2 Michigan State looks to extend its winning streak to 10 games when it begins a five-game homestand Monday against Houston Baptist in a non-conference contest. The Spartans pulled away from a feisty Oakland team for a neutral-court victory on Saturday, while the Huskies are coming off a home rout of Barclay on Friday.

Freshmen David Caraher and Ian DuBose are the highest-scoring duo in the Southland Conference, averaging 15.2 and 11.4 points, respectively. They'll both certainly be focused on by Michigan State's defense, which leads the nation in field-goal percentage defense, allowing just 33.3 percent shooting. Offensively, it's nearly impossible to focus on all the Spartans' scoring threats, as all five starters are averaging double digits this season - including sophomore forwards Miles Bridges (15.1 points, 6.5 rebounds) and Nick Ward (13.8, 6.9). The backcourt duo of Joshua Langford (13.3 points) and Cassius Winston (13.3, 6.4 assists, national-best 58.3 3-point percentage) is equally dangerous, with both able to bury an opponent from beyond the arc.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

ABOUT HOUSTON BAPTIST (4-7): The Huskies have been one of the top rebounding teams in the country this season, ranking 14th in rebounds per game (42.1) and third in offensive boards (15.8). Without a lot of size - 6-10 Edward Hardt is the only starter above 6-6 - coach Ron Cottrell has his team competing on the glass every night because everyone concentrates on getting to the boards. Four different players average at least 5.1 rebounds, including point guard Braxton Bonds at 6.2, although the Huskies likely will need a lot more than hustle against a Michigan State squad blessed with loads of height and depth.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (10-1): While the Spartans' starting five gets a lot of the attention, the bench may be what sets this team apart from others that have played for Tom Izzo, giving him versatility and answers when he needs to make adjustments. Against Oakland, despite Ward playing great, Izzo switched to forward Kenny Goins when the Golden Grizzlies went to a zone in the second half, and the junior responded with a career-high seven assists from the high post. Likewise, with Oakland's Kendrick Nunn scoring 31 points in the game's first 31 minutes, Izzo brought in senior guard Lourawls Nairn Jr. to shut him down, and Nunn was held to just a single free throw the rest of the way as Michigan State pulled away in the final minutes for the victory.

TIP-INS

1. Bonds recorded just the third triple-double in school history in the win over Barclay, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.

2. Michigan State ranks second in the nation in blocked shots per game, averaging 8.1 behind freshman F Jaren Jackson Jr.'s team-best 3.1 - which is 14th in the country.

3. The Spartans are No. 19 in the nation in scoring defense (62.4 points), allowing just three opponents to record more than 60 points this season.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 88, Houston Baptist 62