Maryland @ Michigan St. preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 4, 2017 ) Michigan St 60, Maryland 63

Michigan State returns to action for the first time since moving up to No. 1 in the polls on Thursday, when it hosts Maryland in a Big Ten Conference matchup. The Spartans have won 13 consecutive games and four in a row by at least 40 points while the Terrapins enter the contest having captured seven straight, including a home triumph over Penn State on Tuesday.

Maryland possesses three double-figure scorers, including the sophomore guard combo of Anthony Cowan Jr. (15.6 points) and Kevin Huerter (14.1). The Terrapins' defense has been solid this season, holding teams to 63 points per game and a league-low 28.1 percent shooting from 3-point range. Unfortunately for coach Mark Turgeon, his team is taking on the Big Ten's top scoring offense, as the Spartans are averaging 87.7 points and 21.9 assists. Miles Bridges (17 points, 7.8 rebounds) and Nick Ward (15.4, 7.5, 72.1 percent shooting) have been on fire over the last few weeks, but coach Tom Izzo has plenty of offensive weapons at his disposal - as well as a very deep bench.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT MARYLAND (13-3, 2-1 Big Ten): After losing power forwards Justin Jackson and Ivan Bender to season-ending injuries last week, the Terrapins have become a much slower team as Turgeon tries to conserve its energy. Maryland is down to nine available scholarship players for the rest of the campaign, and the grind of the Big Ten season is going to wear down some players - particularly Cowan, who played all 40 minutes in the win over Penn State. Forwards Bruno Fernando and Michal Cekovsky will be counted on for much more production, including playing at center, as the entire team tries to pull a little more weight as it gets into the meat of conference play.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (14-1, 2-0): After blowing away six straight non-conference foes, the Spartans know they must play even better against Big Ten opponents. Michigan State's last winning margin of 10 points or fewer was its last conference game, which ended up being a 10-point triumph at Rutgers but was close throughout. Bringing a No. 1 ranking into games against rivals will put even more of a target on the Spartans' backs, so they know they must execute better on both ends of the floor as the competition level rises.

TIP-INS

1. Maryland has outrebounded 14 of its 16 opponents this season, and its rebounding margin of plus-9.8 ranks sixth in the country.

2. Spartans G Cassius Winston ranks 11th in the nation with an average of 7.2 assists, including a career-best 13 in the win over Savannah State on Sunday.

3. Michigan State is No. 1 in the country in field-goal percentage defense (32.8 percent) and blocked shots per game (8.4).

PREDICTION: Michigan State 82, Maryland 69