Michigan, fresh off back to back wins over Nebraska and Oregon, will try to avenge a 30-point shellacking to No. 20 Michigan State on Sunday, Feb. 29, at 2 p.m., at the Breslin Center, in East Lansing, Michigan. 

Michigan State holds the lead over Michigan in all-time rivalry wins. The teams have met 101 times, and Michigan State has 76 wins to 25 by Michigan. 

This season, the Spartans are 18-4 overall and 8-3 in the Big Ten, already winning in Michigan 88-58 on Jan. 25. The Wolverines are 16-7 overall and 7-5 in the Big Ten this season. This looks like a David versus Goliath matchup based on history, but things could be different Sunday. 

Michigan is looking for its third straight win. They are hot lately, out-scoring its last two opponents by 25 points per game. The team has won six of its last eight. Michigan State has also won six of its last eight, but one of those losses came at home to Oregon, a team the Wolverines beat by 32 points. 

A closer look, however, shows a clear advantage for Michigan State in most statistical categories. 

Michigan State averages 82.0 points per game. Michigan averages 79.4 points per game. The Spartans have three top 25 Big Ten scorers. The Wolverines have two. 

The Spartans give up 60.6 points per game to opponents. The Wolverines give up 63.6 points per game to opponents. 

Taking care of the ball is another advantage for Michigan State. The Spartans average 19.0 assists, commit 15.4 turnovers and take 13.3 steals per game. The Wolverines average 16.3 assists, commit 16.4 turnovers and take 8.5 steals. 

Rebounding is one area where Michigan has a slight advantage. The Wolverines grab 39.3 rebounds per game. The Spartans grab 38.8. 

Prediction: 

This could be a game determined by whether Michigan State is refreshed or shows rust. The Spartans will have had one full week without playing a game when they face the Wolverines. That’s a week of recovery and practice, but there’s no replacing game experience. Michigan, in that time, has two blowout wins, so momentum could be on their side. 

The Spartans have active hands and hustle, as seen by the steals per game advantage and better team defense. Rebounding is close. Look for Michigan to score less than its season average. 

Michigan State will feed off its home crowd and play with purpose. The Spartans are 10-1 at home this season, but lost its last home game, ruining its perfect record at Breslin Center, to Oregon. 

Michigan State 82 

Michigan 72