Feb 21, 2025 - Sports

Michigan vs. MSU: Big Ten lead on the line Friday

Everett Cook

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo yells during a game with a clenched fist — MSU head coach Tom Izzo celebrates against Purdue earlier this week. Photo: Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

For two bitter rivals, the Michigan and Michigan State men's basketball teams haven't made things particularly close in recent years — only one of their last six meetings has been decided by under seven points.

But Friday night's game between the 12th-ranked Wolverines and 14th-ranked Spartans could buck that trend, as these are two of the best teams in recent program history.

Why it matters: The winner moves into first in the Big Ten with March Madness quickly approaching.

Michigan: Two 7-footers, Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf, have the Wolverines looking like they'll make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022.

Wolf, a transfer from Yale, is more of an electric point forward than a center and could cause some matchup problems Friday night.

Michigan State: The Spartans had won 13 straight games before a mini-slide, but got one of their biggest wins of the season on Tuesday vs. Purdue.

This is a deep team that doesn't have one true star, but can get points from anywhere — seven players average seven points per game or more, but nobody averages more than 13.

If you go: The 8pm game in Ann Arbor is being carried by Fox. Tickets on the secondary market start at $160.

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Michigan vs. MSU: Big Ten lead on the line Friday

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