Indiana @ Michigan St. preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 3, 2018 ) Michigan St 63, Indiana 60

Michigan State looks to bounce back from its first loss since November when it hosts Big Ten rival Indiana on Saturday night. The eighth-ranked Spartans fell to Purdue 73-63 last Sunday, ending their 13-game winning streak, while the Hoosiers enter the contest on a seven-game losing streak and coming off a 66-58 loss to Rutgers on Wednesday.

Freshman Romeo Langford leads Indiana in scoring (17.3), but it will be the play of senior forward Juwan Morgan (16.4 points, 8.0 rebounds) in the paint that will determine if the Hoosiers are competitive in this one. Morgan will have to matchup with Michigan State forward Nick Ward (15.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 62 percent field goal shooting) and hold him in check without getting into foul trouble or it could be a long night for Indiana. Another key for the Hoosiers will be trying to slow down the Spartans' fast break, which is orchestrated by junior guard Cassius Winston (team-high 18.5 points, league-leading 7.3 assists) and really thrives at home. Michigan State forwards Kenny Goins (7.0 points, 9.4 rebounds) and Xavier Tillman (8.1, 7.0) are physical on both ends of the floor and capable of big offensive games as well.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT INDIANA (12-9, 3-7 Big Ten): The Hoosiers are reeling, and coach Archie Miller is trying to find a lineup that can put some points on the board consistently, but it isn't going well. Rutgers went on a 22-0 run on Indiana spanning the end of the first half and into the second, with Indiana going more than nine minutes without scoring, that essentially turned the game to the Scarlet Knights. With Langford and Morgan the only consistent offensive threats, teams are able to focus on stopping the duo, which means players like sophomores Aljami Durham (11 points against Rutgers) and Justin Smith need to find more open looks - and convert them - or the Hoosiers' offense will be very inconsistent.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (18-3, 9-1): Coach Tom Izzo's squad has played without guard Joshua Langford (15 points) for the last eight contests due to an ankle injury but always believed the junior would return to the lineup this season. But the team got word this week that Langford is out for the rest of the season, which may allow players like freshman Aaron Henry - Langford's replacement in the starting lineup - and junior Kyle Ahrens to feel a little more confident in their roles in the Spartans' rotation. Ahrens is still dealing with a back injury but is expected to play against the Hoosiers, while Henry (5.1 points, 3.0 rebounds) is coming off a season-high 30 minutes against the Boilermakers and should continue to see that kind of time going forward.

TIP-INS

1. Indiana F Clifton Moore had the only bench points for the Hoosiers in the loss to Rutgers, scoring two.

2. Michigan State ranked No. 2 in the country in rebound margin (plus-10.4) and fourth in blocked shots (5.7) through Jan. 31 action.

3. Indiana leads the all-time series between the two schools 68-55, but Michigan State has dominated the last decade - winning 13 of the last 17 meetings.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 88, Indiana 72