The Michigan State Spartans are on a five-game winning streak and have played as well as any team in the nation early in the season.
The team will look to continue its strong play on Wednesday night, as they travel for their first true road game against the Miami Hurricanes in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.
The Spartans have won games this season on the strength of tough defense, allowing just 58 points per game, but have struggled with turnovers and ball control. Michigan State has committed 20 turnovers in the past two games, including 14 in the second half in a 63-60 win on Sunday against Louisiana-Lafayette.
"I think our guys are going to be great citizens when they get done with basketball, because the Christmas season is lasting all year," head coach Izzo said to the Associated Press. "They're giving gifts away."
Leading scorer Keith Appling had 19 points in the game on Sunday, but also had four turnovers. He is averaging a team-high 16.8 points and scored at least 20 points in the previous two wins against Boise State and Oakland. Appling is also leading the team in assist, with 4.2 per game.
"We have to change our mindset and know that we have to take care of the ball," Appling said. "Once the Big Ten season starts, those turnovers will lead to large deficits that we probably won't be able to overcome."
Michigan State has been dealing with injuries to Travis Trice and freshman Gary Harris, but both players could return on Wednesday against the Hurricanes.
"I don't like the way our team is at all," Izzo said. "I'm just trying to figure how much of it is due to our preparation or lack thereof with the guys who are injured. But that doesn't have anything to do with some of my key guys turning it over four or five times."
Center Derrick Nix is second on the team in scoring and first in rebounding, averaging 8.0 points and 7.7 rebounds respectively. The senior had nine points in the win Sunday and posted a season-high 11 rebounds against Texas Southern on Nov. 18.
The Spartans started off the season with a loss to Connecticut, but rebounded to beat then-No. 7 ranked Kansas 67-64 on Nov. 13. The team routed Texas Southern 69-41 and followed with close wins against Boise State, Oakland and Louisiana-Lafayette.
Following the game against Miami, the Spartans will not play on the road again until late December against Bowling Green.
The team is ranked 193rd in scoring with 67 points per game, but have been efficient shooting the ball, ranking 45th in the nation in field-goal percentage.
Last season the Spartans went 29-8 and finished tied for first place in the Big Ten with a 13-5 record. The team won the Big Ten tournament and was a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Michigan State defeated Long Island and Saint Louis, but lost to Louisville 57-44 in the regional semifinal.
The Miami Hurricanes are coming into Wednesday's matchup on a two-game winning streak, but have yet to be truly tested by an opponent this season.
The team won 77-62 against Detroit on Saturday, but will have a tough challenge against Izzo and the Spartans.
"The areas (Izzo) feels he needs to have his team focus on to improve, he's going to improve it," said coach Jim Larranaga. "We're not a team that forces a lot of turnovers, so it's not going to be all of the sudden we're going to be emphasizing that we need to force a bunch of turnovers."
Guard Shane Larkin is leading the Hurricanes with 17.3 points per game and scored a season-high 27 against Jacksonville in a 73-57 win on Friday. The sophomore has scored in double digits in every game this season and is shooting over 58 percent from the field.
Senior Reggie Johnson is averaging a double-double this season, scoring 11.7 points and grabbing 10.0 rebounds. The center scored 22 points in the opening win against Stetson and grabbed nine rebounds in the win over Detroit.
Last season the team went 20-13 under first year coach Jim Larranaga and finished 9-7 in the ACC. The Hurricanes played in the NIT Tournament, but lost to Minnesota in the second round. The team hasn't made the NCAA tournament since 2008.
Miami is ranked 117th in points per game this season and are averaging 35.5 rebounds per game. The Hurricanes are shooting over 47 percent, but are ranked only 150th in assists with 14.3 per game.
According to the Associated Press, "Wednesday marks the first meeting between Michigan State and Miami."
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