NCAA Game of the Week:

In this highly anticipated matchup in the Big Ten, the No. 17 Michigan Wolverines are set to face off against the No. 8 Michigan State Spartans in an in-state matchup. Both teams have had very strong seasons, with Michigan sitting at 22-8 and 2nd in the Big Ten, and Michigan State having a slightly superior record of 24-5, which places them in first place out of the 18 teams in the Big Ten.

The Spartans have been led primarily by their senior guard, Jaden Atkins. Akins leads the team in scoring, averaging 12.9 points per game, while also chipping in with 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

He has lacked the ability to score in bunches from beyond the arc this season, shooting only 29.4% from three-point range, but he still finds a way to consistently get to the hoop and score inside.

Jaxon Kohler has been a force in the paint, averaging 7.9 rebounds per game with equals his mark of 7.9 points. He has showcased his versatility and ever-present strength on the boards. Jeremy Fears Jr. has been integral to the Spartans as a playmaker, leading the team with 5.6 assists per game while also contributing defensively with 1 steal per game.

The Spartans' success is typically driven by their team-wide commitment to defense, with contributions on that end of the court coming from players like Coen Carr and Frankie Fidler, who can also score when their names are called. With a team shooting percentage of 46.2% from the field and 29.7% from three-point range, Michigan State has proven capable of efficient scoring primarily on the interior, but strong defense has been their calling card all season long.

Against the Wolverines, the Spartans will look to use their bench depth and their defense to contain Michigan's high-flying offense. Jaden Akins's ability to create scoring opportunities will be extremely important against Michigan, but the team spreads its scoring across everyone who touches the hardwood.

Nobody really stands out as a true number-one scoring option who will score 20 points a night. Jaxon Kohler playing at a high level will be pivotal in controlling the boards and limiting second-chance opportunities for the Wolverines.

Jeremy Fears Jr.'s will also be tested against Michigan's backcourt, led by Tre Donaldson, who averages 4.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game for the Wolverines. The battle between these two players will likely shape the tempo of the game and will be something to watch right out of the opening tipoff.

On the other side, the Michigan Wolverines should not be counted out despite their slightly inferior record. The team boasts a strong starting lineup led by Vladislav Goldin, who leads the team with 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. His inside presence, which is complemented by Danny Wolf's 9.6 rebounds per game, provides Michigan with a dominant presence in the paint on both ends of the court.

Tre Donaldson directs the Wolverines' offense with 4.0 assists per game and can shoot from beyond the arc. Nimari Burnett adds scoring depth with his 10.0 points per game and can also shoot the lights out with a 41.0% success rate from three-point range.

As both teams prepare for this matchup, the battle between Michigan and Michigan State is the epitome of Big Ten basketball at its finest. With their overtly contrasting play styles and star power on both sides, you can expect a closely contested battle that will have significant implications in the teams’ conference standings and postseason hopes.

Dominick Pizzelanti is a second-year student dual-majoring in broadcast journalism and Spanish. To contact him, email dqp5565@psu.edu.