January 5, 2022: Rivalry week is officially here now that MSU has dispatched Nebraska and awaits a matchup at home with cross state rival, Michigan. The Wolverines have struggled at times in the non-conference schedule but are in first place of the Big Ten with a 3-0 mark after defeating Penn State on Wednesday.

Last year, the teams split their series but if either team has title hopes, a series sweep would be loom huge for their chances to take the League. There are so many matchup questions with this game: can Sissoko neutralize Dickinson and/or can Hoggard and MSU's guards exploit Dickinson's struggles guarding on pick and rolls? Will the Spartans be able to rebound and defend at the levels they did against Nebraska? Finally, can Michigan State continue their outstanding 3 point shooting?

In what looks to be an intense contest on Saturday with so much at stake and the school rivalry at a more intense level than usual this has all the makings for a war. The difference might just be which team is able to maintain their poise and channel the energy in a useful manner.

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