East Lansing, MI (My Sportsbook) - The eight-ranked Michigan State Spartans and Kansas Jayhawks close out their respective non-conference schedules this afternoon, as the two teams meet up in East Lansing for what looks to be an entertaining matchup from the Breslin Center.
The defending national champion, Kansas has had to deal with mass defections from last year's team, but has still run off an impressive 11-3 record thus far. Bill Self's squad enters this contest with three straight wins in tow, including a 91-84 shootout victory over Siena on Tuesday.
Tom Izzo's Spartans have won 12 of their first 14 games thus far and have opened up Big Ten play on fire, having won each of their first three league affairs. In all, the team brings an eight-game win streak into this game, including a 67-58 win over a tough Ohio State team on Tuesday. The Spartans also put an impressive 26-game homecourt winning streak on the line in this one.
The Jayhawks were able to take a slim 4-3 advantage in the all-time series with the Spartans thanks to an 81-74 victory in Lawrence in 2003, the last time these two teams met.
Center Cole Aldrich continued his low post dominance in the win over Siena, as he posted a career-high 24 points to go along with 13 rebounds, marking his eighth double-double of the season. The Saints never allowed Kansas to pull away in the game, but the Jayhawks were able to sink 12-of-14 free throws down the stretch to earn the victory. Joining Aldrich in double-digit scoring were guards Sherron Collins and Tyrel Reed, who added 18 and 14 points, respectively. The Jayhawks have been impressive offensively this year, shooting a healthy .476 from the field, leading to 80.6 ppg. Collins has certainly elevated his game this year and is both a potent scorer (17.6 ppg) and deft distributor (team-high 70 assists). Aldrich is the perfect complement in the paint, averaging a near double-double with 15.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Tyshawn Taylor has been a nice addition to the lineup, as the freshman rounds out the double figure scorers with 10.0 ppg.
MSU held Ohio State to just 36 percent shooting the first half and took an 11- point lead into halftime. Despite the Buckeyes finding their range over the final 20 minutes, the hometown Spartans were able to earn the victory. Kalin Lucas was a big part of the win, as he hit 6-of-8 from the floor and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line to finish with 20 points. Raymar Morgan had a strong game down low as well, recording a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Michigan State will need to match Kansas' up-tempo style if they are to continue their winning ways at home. The team certainly possesses the personnel to do that, connecting on 47.7 percent from the floor this year, while putting up 77.8 ppg. Morgan has been a rock in the frontcourt, converting over 60 percent of his opportunities, while pacing the team in scoring (15.2 ppg) as well as rebounding (7.0 rpg). Lucas ranks second in scoring (13.3 ppg), but is the team's primary distributor, doling out 6.0 apg. Chris Allen (10.6 ppg) gives the team another perimeter threat, while Goran Suton (9.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg) provides depth in the frontcourt.
