Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-14, 6-8) vs Michigan State Spartans (16-11, 8-6)

Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 - 6:00 p.m.

Breslin Center

TV: ESPNU

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Internet: WatchESPN.com

1. Contain Bridges

For most every team Michigan State has played and will play the rest of the season, this is undoubtedly the No. 1 priority when facing the Spartans. True freshman sensation Miles Bridges is a future NBA lottery pick, and he's proven to be a true difference maker for MSU since coming back off an injury. Bridges dropped 16 points against Nebraska in their first meeting in Lincoln, making some clutch baskets in the second half to help turn a close game into a 72-61 Spartan rout. Keeping him in check as best as possible is a must for the Huskers tonight.

2. Defend the 3

Michigan State has really struggled with its offensive consistency all year, and it comes into tonight's game ranked 12th in the Big Ten in scoring at 71.4 points per game. However, one thing the Spartans have done especially well is shoot the three, ranking second in the conference at 38.4 percent from behind the arc on the year. Michigan State knocked down 8-of-11 3-pointers in its win over NU earlier this month, but one major difference tonight is the Spartans will be without senior guard Eron Harris, who led the team in 3-point shooting before suffering a season-ending injury.

3. Let Watson, Morrow make their mark

While Michigan State will look a lot different without Harris on the court, Nebraska will have a much different lineup as well this time around. In the first meeting in Lincoln, not only was sophomre forward Edward Morrow sidelined with a foot injury, sophomore guard Glynn Watson was trying to play through a groin injury that ended up being far worse than he had thought. Tonight both players are back in the fold, which could give the Huskers a much needed boost against an MSU squad that has been riddled by injuries all season long.

“I want to be forceful that I want to be the coach here. I believe (athletic director Shawn Eichorst) wants me to be the coach here. I believe (executive assosciate A.D. in charge of basketball Marc Boehm) does... I feel really comfortable about the direction we’re going. I know some fans are a little bit unhappy with the management of the results. I can find a lot of different reasons to tell you we’re on the right track. But I can’t prove it with a winning record... I don’t want to be .500. I don’t think anyone wants to be .500. We want excellence, and I schedule for excellence. I don’t schedule for the NIT or for wins. Our standard every year is to make the NCAA tournament, and win when we get there.’’

- Head coach Tim Miles when asked about his job security on Wednesday.

Michigan State 69-62

Robin's season record: 17-10