StatFox.com - Sports Handicapping Community

The Leader In Sports Handicapping

#10 Arizona faces #12 MSU in Hawaii Nov. 11
By: Staff Writer - StatFox
Published: 11/4/2016  at  5:12:00 AM
  Print This Article    

ARIZONA WILDCATS (0-0)

vs. MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (0-0)

Stan Sheriff Center – Honolulu, HI
Tip-off: Friday, 6:00 pm ET
Line: N/A

The college basketball season will feature some excellent matchups early on, as #10 Arizona faces #12 Michigan State on Friday, Nov. 11.

Arizona and Michigan State last met on Nov. 23, 2005, and the Spartans ended up winning that game 74-71 as a one-point favorite. It was Michigan State’s second consecutive win-and-cover over Arizona, but the Wildcats had won-and-covered in each of the previous two meetings. Both teams had very disappointing seasons a year ago, as each of them was upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Arizona lost to perennial Cinderella Wichita State and Michigan State lost to Middle Tennessee State as a two-seed. The Spartans also happened to be one of the favorite picks to win the entire tournament. Each team will be trying to put that behind them on Friday and they both have some high expectations coming into the season. Sean Miller and Tom Izzo are two of the best coaches in college basketball and it’s a certainty that each of them will have their teams dancing in March. As for the winner of this game, there are a few things that stick out when trying to figure out who will come out on top. One is that Arizona was just 3-3 SU in neutral site games a year ago, and Michigan State was an impressive 8-1 SU. That one loss was obviously the biggest of the year, but the team has still shown some serious ability to win tournament games. It’s also worth noting that the Wildcats were just 16-18 ATS last year and the Spartans were much better at 22-12 ATS. The big story coming into this game is the status of SG Allonzo Trier. Trier is currently in an eligibility battle and the Wildcats really need him on the court. He’s one of the best scorers in college basketball and the team has already suffered enough blows to its bench.

It could be a rough year for Arizona if SG Allonzo Trier (14.8 PPG last season) isn’t deemed eligible. Trier is the most proven player on this Wildcats team, as he was one of the best scorers in the Pac 12 last year. Trier is a smooth player that possesses the ability to shoot and get to the basket. The ineligibility would hurt Trier the most, though, as he was a near-lock to be drafted to the NBA if he left last year and ended up coming back to play another year of college. If Trier is out for an extended period of time then talented freshman Kobi Simmons could see plenty of action. He is a very good prospect and could fill a huge need for this Wildcats team. Another issue for Arizona will be replacing the production of Kaleb Tarczewski. Tarczewski frequently disappointed in his career with the Wildcats, but he was still a dominating presence inside and Arizona needs somebody to fill in there. Two guys that will be asked to do it are junior C Dusan Ristic (7.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG last season) and freshman Lauri Markkanen. Ristic played well as a role player off the bench last year. He’s lengthy and has touch, two things that should help him see more minutes this year. Markkanen, meanwhile, is the x-factor for this Arizona team. He is one of the prized freshman in college basketball this year, but he is also a bit of a mystery. Markkanen played ball overseas up until this year and he is something like college’s Kristaps Porzingis. Markkanen is a guard in a big’s body, but he’ll need to adjust to the physicality of the game. That won’t be easy, but it’s hard to say he won’t be able to do it.

SG Eron Harris (9.3 PPG last season) didn’t have the impact that many thought he would last year, but it’s also tough when you have guys like Denzel Valentine and Bryn Forbes playing ahead of you. Now it’s Harris’ turn and he should be ready to take over as the next Michigan State star. Before transferring to Michigan State, Harris averaged 17.2 PPG on 43.8% shooting from the field and 42.2% shooting from three with West Virginia. Look for him to get a chance to play as a volume scorer once again and don’t be surprised if he averages 20 a game. He’ll need to have that type of impact if Michigan State is going to win this one. The Spartans do, however, need other guys to step up. One returner they can count on is PG Tum Tum Nairn (2.8 PPG, 3.3 APG last season). Nairn isn’t a guy that lights up the scoreboard, but he knows how to run this Michigan State offense and he is a feisty defender. The Spartans will also need some big contributions from freshmen F Miles Bridges and C Nick Ward. Bridges is a tremendous athlete that should provide a huge spark on both ends of the floor every night. Ward, meanwhile, will need to man the middle with starting C Gavin Schilling (3.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG last season) dealing with an injury. Ward might be overwhelmed in this game, but he should settle in and provide some solid production until Schilling is back.


FoxSheets.com
The FoxSheets - the most advanced sports handicapping information available on the internet.
Sign up for professional sports betting information including fantastic trends, and Free FoxSheets.
E-mail: