Michigan @ Michigan St. preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 7, 2017 ) Michigan St 57, Michigan 86

No. 4 Michigan State looks to improve on a narrow overtime victory in its last outing when it hosts rival Michigan in a Big Ten Conference contest on Saturday. The Spartans edged Rutgers by four points on Wednesday, needing the extra period to get the win, while the Wolverines had their seven-game winning streak snapped as they dropped a one-point decision to seventh-ranked Purdue.

Charles Matthews paces Michigan's offense, averaging 15.6 points on 55.2 percent shooting, while Moritz Wagner adds 13.9 points and a team-best 7.1 rebounds to the mix. Coach John Beilein's squad ranks 14th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 62.1 points per game, and 17th in turnover margin at plus-4.2. Michigan State knows a little something about defense as well, ranking No. 1 in the country in both field-goal percentage defense (34.5 percent) and blocked shots per game (eight). Miles Bridges leads the offense, averaging 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, while Nick Ward is producing 14.8 and 7.7 while shooting 70.7 percent.

TV: Noon ET, FOX

ABOUT MICHIGAN (14-4, 3-2 Big Ten): Beilein has been relying a little more on his freshmen since Big Ten play resumed - particularly Isaiah Livers, who has become more of an offensive threat off the bench. Livers has averaged 11.6 points over his last three contests, hitting 7-of-10 3-pointers, and that play has Beilein thinking about possibly putting the 6-7 forward into the starting lineup soon. Livers' improved play and increase in minutes has taken away from the playing time of starting power forward Duncan Robinson, although experience might be more helpful for the team in a hostile environment such as East Lansing.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (16-2, 4-1): Bridges is the only player in the country averaging at least 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, three assists and one block per game, but the Spartans' two losses - and Wednesday's close call against Rutgers - showed when Bridges' unselfishness can become a liability. Coach Tom Izzo loves to have his star player wanting to spread the offensive wealth, but Bridges can be too passive, failing to score against Rutgers until there were less than eight minutes left in the contest. The Spartans want him to be more aggressive when looking for his own shot while also keeping his team-first mindset, and that could be a balance for which Bridges is looking throughout the season.

TIP-INS

1. Michigan G Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman averages 3.3 assists and ranks second nationally with an assist-to-turnover ratio of six.

2. The Spartans rank second in the country in rebound margin at plus-11.8, with all three players on the starting front line - Bridges, Ward and F Jaren Jackson Jr. - averaging at least 6.4 boards.

3. Michigan leads the all-time series between the rivals - who are separated by just 50 miles - 98-81, although Michigan State has won 25 of the last 35 meetings.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 72, Michigan 63