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Michigan State Hosts Duke for Second Time in School History

By Jacob Fordyce

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans gestures to his players from the sideline during the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 26, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans gestures to his players from the sideline during the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 26, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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On December 3rd, the Michigan State Spartans will host the Duke Blue Devils at the Breslin Center for the first time since 2003.

For only the second time ever, Duke will be making the trip to East Lansing to face Michigan State. Duke came out victorious in the first matchup at the Breslin Center, and they’ll look to do so again as they’re looking for revenge after Michigan State topped them in the Elite Eight last season.

Heading into this game, both Michigan State and Duke will fall from their current ranking as both teams have suffered bad losses in week four. Michigan State lost to Virginia Tech in the Quarterfinal of the Maui Invitational while Duke suffered a close loss to underdogs Stephen F. Austin in overtime.

The Spartans are still trying to find their identity as they have already endured two early losses. Tom Izzo’s teams are notorious for starting out slow but then finding out who they are as the season progresses. Four of the last five previous seasons, the Spartans have lost at least one game in their first five games.

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Michigan State has noticeably struggled from behind the arc this season, only three out of their seven games they shot over 40% from behind the arc. With players like Matt McQuaid and Kenny Goins graduated, they miss that reliable shot from behind the arc.

Tom Izzo expresses the importance of rebounds, and that is the bright side of this Michigan State squad. The Spartans have outrebounded their opponent on the offensive glass in every game except Georgia, where they both finished with 10 offensive rebounds.

When you have a guard like Cassius Winston, it makes it easier to pass the ball around. The Spartans have led their opponents in the assist category in every game this year, except in their loss against Virginia Tech, where the Hokies had 16 assists, while the Spartans had just 13.

Despite two disappointing losses to start the season, the Spartans have played respectable basketball. Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry, and Xavier Tillman have played worthy this season; However, youngsters like Malik Hall, Rocket Watts, and Marcus Bingham Jr. need to step up to take this team to its potential.

With a win against Duke on Tuesday, it could give the Spartans the confidence boost they need to soar to heights they are capable of reaching. Michigan State has always struggled against Duke, but when you have the Izzone and thousands of other fans on your side, it will be a different environment than when these teams usually face each other.

Next. Scarbrough carving out a future beyond this season. dark

What: Duke Blue Devils 7-1 @ Michigan State Spartans 5-2

When: 9:30 PM Tuesday, December, 3rd, 2019

Where: East Lansing, MI Breslin Student Events Center

Watch On: ESPN

Previous Matchup: MSU 68-67

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