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To be the best, you have to beat the best. And for the Wolverines to prove they have what it takes to secure a Big Ten title, they must go through the Spartans first.

With No. 12 Michigan (20-5, 12-2 Big Ten) and No. 14 Michigan State (21-5, 12-3) dueling it out on Friday, coaches and players are using the next two days to study the Spartans.

“Though the Wolverines have new coaches and players, the non-negotiables to slowing down Michigan State haven’t changed in Tom Izzo’s decades in charge.

The Wolverines hold a razor-thin lead in the Big Ten standings, and with just a handful of games left, this rivalry clash carries significant conference title implications. While emotions will undoubtedly run high, here’s what Michigan needs to execute against the Spartans:

Defending lethal transition attack

“They just run so fast, all five of them,” assistant coach Kyle Church said Wednesday. “Obviously, their point guards get out there on the run, the wings are sprinting down the wings, the first big down puts pressure on the rim. It’s extremely difficult to guard. They’re as disciplined as any team I’ve ever seen at making it every single possession trying to get off the floor as fast as possible.” 

The Wolverines must be disciplined in transition defense. Under Tom Izzo, Michigan State teams have been known for their ability to push the ball at any time — off of makes or misses.

Michigan has sometimes struggled against teams that push the pace, including on Sunday at Ohio State, and has the fourth-worst transition defense in the Big Ten, per Synergy. The Spartans thrive in that area and score more fast-break points per game than any team in the league.

“Those first four minutes will be eye-opening, but hopefully, we can settle in quick,” Church said. “We have a bunch of good ball handlers, bunch of good athletes in transition. We’re great playing at that pace.

“I think we’ve done a really nice job of showing that we can adjust to the game where, if it gets bogged down in the half-court, we have two seven-foot options that are tremendous, some guards that can make plays, but also in the open floor, we’re really dangerous as well.”

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