How Michigan will combat MSU’s transition speed, Sam Walters update, more

Rather than a single star player or a big-three, Michigan State is the perfect example of production by committee. The Spartans have ten players averaging at least 15 minutes per game, and each also averages over five points per contest. The winner of Friday’s matchup will be in first place in the Big Ten, as MSU sits a half-game behind Michigan.

Michigan basketball prepares for speedy Spartans, Sam Walters update

Michigan’s depth will likely be put to the test Friday, and it will likely be without forward Sam Walters. Assistant coach and general manager Kyle Church said Wednesday that Walters is still “day-to-day”, but “it’s not looking great.”

New: Danny Wolf speaks on ‘trusting’ his game, instincts, how it has reduced turnovers

The Spartans are third in the country in fastbreak points, averaging 17.12 per game. Church said they use every player on the floor to get it done.

“It jumps off the page at you,” Church said. “They’re elite in transition, as they are every year, for however long Izzo has been there. They just run so fast – all five of them.

“… Extremely difficult to guard. They’re as disciplined as any team I’ve ever seen in making every single possession (about) trying to get up the floor as fast as possible.”

Michigan State plays a brand of basketball that could be considered uncommon these days: one focused more on getting to the rim than throwing up threes. Several players on the Michigan roster have never played the Spartans, so Church said the staff is trying to show the team everything it can about the in-state rival.

“Everybody I’ve talked to was like, ‘you’re going to be blown away by how fast they run. You just can’t replicate it’,” Church said. “So (we’re) just trying to explain (that to the team). We showed them clips last night, they’re going to see more today, more tomorrow, more on game day, and (we’ll) just try to prepare ourselves mentally for what we’re up against.

“Those first four minutes, I think will be eye opening, but hopefully we can settle in quickly.”

How will Michigan answer?

MSU may play with an especially fast pace, but Michigan can move as well. Tre Donaldson runs the point with urgency, and Danny Wolf can end a possession with a highlight at any moment. Church said the Wolverines aren’t afraid to fight fire with fire.

More: How Michigan football could be helped by Detroit Lions hiring former Texas RB coach

“We want to get up and down the floor too,” Church said. “We have a bunch of good ball-handlers, a bunch of good athletes in transition, so we’re great playing at that pace. I know obviously they are as well, (but) I think we’ve done a really nice job showing that we can adjust to the game. 

“If it gets bogged down in the half-court we have two seven-foot options that are tremendous and some guards that can make plays, but also in the open floor we’re really dangerous as well.”

The showdown tips off in Ann Arbor at 8 p.m. Friday on FOX.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms