Michigan State vs. Gonzaga tipoff: Matchup analysis and a prediction
• What: Michigan State vs. Gonzaga, Armed Forces Classic
• When: 6:30 p.m. ET Friday
• Where: USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, San Diego
• TV/Radio: ESPN/Spartan Sports Network radio, including WJIM 1240-AM and WMMQ 94.9-FM; Sirius/XM Ch. 372 (MSU broadcast)
• Records/Rankings: MSU is 1-0 and unranked. Gonzaga is 1-0 and ranked No. 2 nationally in both The Associated Press and Coaches poll.
• Vegas Line: Gonzaga -9.5
• Coaches: MSU — Tom Izzo is 667-267 in his 28th season as a head coach, all with the Spartans. Gonzaga — Mark Few is 659-129 in his 24th season as a head coach, all with the Bulldogs.
• Series: MSU leads 4-1 all-time. The two programs have not met in more than a decade, with the Spartans winning that game, 74-67 on Dec. 20, 2011 in Spokane, Washington.
Lineups
MSU
C (22) Mady Sissoko (6-9) 4.0
PF (10) Joey Hauser (6-9) 18.0
F (25) Malik Hall (6-8) 5.0
SG (2) Tyson Walker (6-1) 6.0
PG (11) AJ Hoggard (6-4) 9.0
Gonzaga
C (2) Drew Timme (6-9) 22.0
PF (22) Anton Watson (6-8) 10.0
F (0) Julian Strawther (6-7) 16.0
SG (11) Rasir Bolton (6-3) 11.0
PG (11) Nolan Hickman (6-2) 6.0
• MSU update: The Spartans are coming off a 73-55 win over Northern Arizona to open their season. The most important thing that took place in that game was guard Jaden Akins playing 16 minutes after missing six weeks recovering from surgery to fix and stress reaction in his foot. At some point Akins will likely move into the starting lineup. For now, I’d expect the same five that began both Monday’s win over NAU and last week’s exhibition game — AJ Hoggard, Tyson Walker, Malik Hall, Joey Hauser and Mady Sissoko. MSU took part in the original aircraft carrier game, also in San Diego, against North Carolina 11 years ago. Several other aircraft carrier games were attempted elsewhere shortly after, but most were canceled due to problems with weather or court condensation. San Diego's climate, late in the afternoon local time, is one of the few places it works.
MORE: Couch: For MSU basketball, a whole lot is riding on unproven centers Mady Sissoko and Jaxon Kohler
• Gonzaga update: The Zags beat North Florida, 104-63, in Monday’s opener. Gonzaga got a huge lift this season with the return of two-time consensus All-American Drew Timme, who’s been an outstanding college player but, at 6-foot-9 and with modest athleticism, is considered a marginal NBA prospect. The Zags have won the West Coast Conference in 21 of the past 22 years and reached the Sweet 16 or beyond in each of the last seven NCAA tournaments, including twice losing in the national title game.
MORE: Analyzing Michigan State basketball's 2022-23 roster, player by player
• Inside the matchup: For MSU, this matchup begins with how it defends Timme. Mady Sissoko is athletic enough to do it. But one-on-one, Timme brings a level of savvy and productivity that’s a lot to ask of Sissoko to handle. MSU, I think, will help on Timme and use Joey Hauser on him a fair bit, too. Timme’s not an overwhelming physical player. But he’s smart, skilled and constant. LSU transfer Efton Reid, a 7-foot, 240-pound center, will also see significant playing time, sometimes with Timme. He’s not an overwhelming athlete, but he’s also not unskilled. Julian Strawther, a 6-7 forward, will be an interesting matchup for the Spartans. He gives the Zags the feel of an athletic team and will likely be guarded by Malik Hall out of the gate. Strawther, who can also shoot from the perimeter, could wind up being a star this season. Rasir Bolton is another player MSU has to defend beyond the 3-point line. The Spartans might have an advantage at point guard. Gonzaga doesn’t have the NBA talent or proven player they’ve had there in recent years. I also think MSU’s backcourt has a chance to measure up well with anyone on its schedule. This is a big chance, on a big stage, for AJ Hoggard, Tyson Walker and Jaden Akins to show they can be a problem for anybody. The Zags want to push it and live in transition if you let them. That sort of game might fit this MSU backcourt, too. We'll see.
MORE: Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State's 73-55 season-opening win over Northern Arizona
• Prediction: Gonzaga has the best player and a roster with several guys who played important roles on a very good team last season. They should be favored. But I don’t know that MSU’s backcourt is going to let it get run out of the gym (or off the aircraft carrier) this season. I think the Spartans put up a decent fight in an unusual setting against a team that’ll test their defense and their ability to keep countering offensively.
• Make it: Gonzaga 78, MSU 72
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU basketball vs. Gonzaga: Prediction, preview, betting, how to watch
