Michigan State is hitting the road, and head coach Tom Izzo demanded the No. 12 Spartans pack some grit for their Pacific Northwest swing that begins Saturday in Seattle.
The Spartans went 0-2 at UCLA and USC last season but Izzo reminded his troops novelty is no longer an excuse when visiting the newest members of the Big Ten.
“We’ve got to maybe be tougher and figure out how to grind it out there,” Izzo said. “The schedule doesn’t get easier, and we’re still one of those teams where our margin of error is still minimal.”
The suitcase-carrying Spartans (15-2, 5-1 Big Ten) get no sympathy from Washington, which is in the middle of a stretch of three consecutive games against teams currently ranked in the top 15.
Washington (10-7, 2-4) is anchored by freshman forward Hannes Steinbach, a matchup problem for most teams because of his size and skill. At 6-11, Steinbach (17.9 points per game) leads the Big Ten in rebounding (11.2 per game). He’s just ahead of Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler, who had 16 points and 10 boards in the Spartans’ 21-point win over Indiana on Tuesday night. Kohler averages 10.1 boards per game.
Washington has 14 freshmen or transfers, so the scouting report from previous seasons is all but worthless to the Spartans. Wesley Yates III, who returned from wrist surgery to play 14 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to No. 4 Michigan, will play against the Spartans along with Jacob Ognacevic, who put up 10 points in 16 minutes in his return from a foot injury vs. the Wolverines.
“What scares me the most is (Washington has) had some injuries, but definitely, when you look at that roster… you don’t sleep as well, because it’s a talented roster,” Izzo said Thursday. “This time of year, teams start … I either see an upswing or a downswing,” Izzo said. “Very few teams stay the same at this time of year. You’re either moving one direction or the other.”
Huskies coach Danny Sprinkle will take his team on the road next week to visit undefeated No. 8 Nebraska. First, Washington is trying to figure out the right personnel mix to match up with Michigan State. After starting 0-for-10 from the field in a Wednesday’s 82-72 setback, Sprinkle said the Huskies are still finding their way.
However, he believes they’re already learned they can play with the best in the Big Ten.
“And in order to win those games, it ain’t good enough to just get close. You know you have to get over that hump,” he said.
The Spartans are dialed in on Steinbach, labeled one of the most talented players in the Big Ten by Izzo.
Kohler is more brawn and biceps than shot-blocker, but he has 10 games with double-digit rebounds and is essential to flipping the court back to the offense for a Michigan State club without a potent scorer.
As with all Izzo teams, the telltale identifier remains defense. Washington’s backcourt has balance and depth, with four guards average at or near double figures. The Huskies are led by Zoom Diallo (14.9 points, 3.5 assists per game), Yates III (13.8 ppg) and Desmond Claude (13.3 ppg).
Because Washington doesn’t shoot the ball well — 31.5 percent from 3-point range this season — the Spartans are comfortable preventing the easy entry to Steinbach and protect the paint to secure boards. Washington shot 27.3 percent from 3-point range in the loss to Michigan. Steinbach was hampered by foul trouble and finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
