The rivalry between the Michigan State Spartans and the Ohio State Buckeyes needs no introduction. Saturday, the first installment of the rivalry for 2014-15 will take place on the hardwood in East Lansing. Saturday will be the first and only meeting between the two storied programs this season, and it promises to be a good one from start to finish.

Last season, these two teams split the season series, with each team successfully defending their home court. It’s safe to say that last year’s edition of both teams had more talent. Ohio State was home to defensive specialist Aaron Craft, while Michigan State had offensive powers in Gary Harris and Adreian Payne. While this year’s match-up won’t have the big names that have been seen in previous years, it will still be a game that fans will want to keep an eye on.

Saturday marks another ‘must-win’ game for the hometown Michigan State Spartans, as they look to improve their tournament resume in hopes of securing a berth into the big dance come March. In recent Bracketology predictions from around the college basketball world, the Spartans find themselves on the bubble. A win on Saturday over the Buckeyes will go a long way in helping them solidify a spot in the field of 68.

While Michigan State lacks a signature win this season, they have been playing some strong basketball as of late. The Spartans have won three of their past four games, and find themselves apart of a six-team logjam behind Wisconsin in the conference standings.

The Spartans suffered a tough loss at home to a short-handed Illinois team back on February 7th, but bounced back in their last time out with a big road win over the Northwestern Wildcats. Behind 16 points from Travis Trice, the Spartans came away with a much-needed 68 – 44 win over Northwestern. Games like those the Spartans cannot afford to lose down the stretch.

Saturday provides another big opportunity for the Spartans. With only three games left on their home floor this season, the Spartans need to take full advantage of those contests. A win over Ohio State would go a long way for the team’s confidence level, and their tournament resume.

With that in mind, Ohio State has been a tough team to knock off this season, and will give the Spartans all they can handle as they make a late-season push in the Big Ten.

In the 2014 NCAA Tournament, the Ohio State Buckeyes suffered a premature loss in the Round of 64. The Buckeyes lost to instate rival Dayton in their first game of the tournament, 60 – 59, putting an end to their season and Aaron Craft’s remarkable career in Columbus.

The 2014-15 season has seen a changing of the guard at the point guard position, but the Buckeyes haven’t missed a beat. Once again, Ohio State is right in the thick of things in the conference standings and are a team who looks to be a lock for the NCAA Tournament come March.

Like Michigan State, the Buckeyes find themselves in the middle of the logjam of teams who are trying relentlessly to run down the Wisconsin Badgers. The Buckeyes are one of the teams who have the best chance of doing so, but they need to get past the Spartans on the road in order to do so.

Ohio State enters Saturday having won five of their past six games, including their last two games, and are currently ranked #23 in the country. They are coming off a big home win against Penn State their last time out. Thanks to 22 points from Sam Thompson, the Buckeyes cruised to the 75 – 55 win on their home floor. They will look to continue their winning ways on Saturday.

The Buckeyes get a boost to their lineup, as Marc Loving is expected to return from a suspension that saw him miss the team’s last three games. The sophomore forward is the team’s second leading scorer, averaging 11.7 points per contest.

With both of these teams needing a win to stay in the thick of things in the Big Ten race, the play of their stars will have a big impact on the outcome of the game on Saturday.

Players to Watch

For the visiting Ohio State Buckeyes, look no further than freshman sensation D’Angelo Russell as the player fans need to keep an eye on. So much was made of Maryland’s Melo Trimble to begin the season, Russell was able to quietly put together a stellar season and is now seen by many as the top freshman guard in the conference. In his first year of Division I competition, Russell is averaging 19.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. He recorded a triple-double against Rutgers this past Sunday, stuffing the stat sheet with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists to lead Ohio State to victory. He also has three double-doubles under his belt this season, and is widely considered a top contender for Big Ten Player of the Year. If Russell can have that level of success against the Spartans, then Ohio State should be able to cruise to victory.

On the Michigan State sideline, they have a freshman guard of their own who could very well play a big part in this one. Lourawls Nairn, Jr may not be having a season like that of Russell, but his play could determine how Saturday’s game goes for the Spartans. Nairn is only averaging 2.1 points and 2.5 assists per game this season, but his play will be closely monitored by the Spartans coaching staff. Nairn rotates in the backcourt with Travis Trice, giving the Spartan senior a rest and shaking up the lineup for Tom Izzo. In his last two games, Nairn has averaged 4.0 points and 2.5 assists per game, while only committing one turnover in 36 minutes of floor time. If Nairn can hang onto the ball in his limited playing time on Saturday, the Spartans will be in great shape and will have a great shot at their biggest win of the year.

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Saturday is a big opportunity for the Michigan State Spartans (16 – 8, 7 – 4) to score a signature win that they have been longing for all year long. It will give them a nice confidence boost heading into the stretch run of the season, and will bolster a sub-par tournament resume. On the flip side, the Ohio State Buckeyes (19 – 6, 8 – 4) can claim second place in the conference all to themselves with the win. With a win being so important to both teams, this game will bring out the best in both teams and fans are in for a great game.