After a road setback at the hands of the Wisconsin Badgers this past Friday, the Michigan State Spartans return home to the Breslin Center take on the in-state rival Michigan Wolverines.

The game takes place at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time and will stream live on Peacock.

The Spartans are coming off a 81-66 loss at Wisconsin, while the Wolverines dropped their last contest by a final score of 88-78 at home versus Iowa.

Both teams have had their struggles this season, but during the rivalry game, all records and current state of play seem to go out the window as both squads compete for in-state bragging rights.

With a victory over the Wolverines on Tuesday, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo would earn career win No. 700. Tuesday is also Izzo's 69th birthday.

Michigan State: Depth Chart and State of the Team

1 - A.J. Hoggard (6’4” Sr.), Tre Holloman (6’2” So.)

2 - Tyson Walker (6’0” Graduate Sr.)

3 - Jaden Akins (6’4” Jr.), Coen Carr (6’5” Fr.), Gehrig Normand (6'5" Fr.)

4 - Malik Hall (6’8” Graduate Sr.), Xavier Booker (6'11" Fr.)

5 - Mady Sissoko (6’9” Sr.), Carson Cooper (6’11” So.), Jaxon Kohler (6’9” So.)

Injured: Jeremy Fears Jr. (6'2" Fr.)

Rankings & Ratings: No. N/A, RV (AP), No. N/A, RV (Coaches), No. 25 (NET), No. 18 (Kenpom), No. 13 (Barttorvik)

Michigan State was unable to secure a Big Ten win on the road last time out against Wisconsin. The Badgers got out to an early lead and never looked back. MSU put four players in double figures and made a late run in the second half, but ultimately lost to No. 13 Wisconsin, 81-66, at the Kohl Center on Friday night.

Senior guard A.J. Hoggard scored a team-high 19 points to lead the Spartans against the Badgers, while adding four assists. Graduate senior forward Malik Hall finished with 13 points, two rebounds and two assists, while graduate senior guard Tyson Walker had 11 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals. Meanwhile, junior guard Jaden Akins added 10 points and four rebounds.

Wisconsin shot 50.9% from the floor (29-of-57), including 55.6% in the first half (15-of-27). Michigan State was out-rebounded by Wisconsin, 35-25. The Badgers collected 12 offensive rebounds and scored 17 second-chance points.

The road struggles for Michigan State continued, but the Spartans will sure to be happy to be back home with the opportunity to get a win over their struggling rival, Michigan, on Tuesday night.

Michigan: Depth Chart and State of the Team

1 -Jaelin Llewellyn (6'2" Sr.), George Washington II (6'2" Fr.)

2 - Nimari Burnett (6'4" Sr.)

3 - Terrance Williams II (6'6" Sr.), Jace Howard (6'8" Jr.)

4 - Olivier Nkamhoua (6'9" Sr.), Will Tschetter (6'8" So.)

5 - Tarris Reed (6'10" So.)

Injured/Suspension: Dug McDaniel (5'11" So.)

Rankings & Ratings: No. N/A, RV (AP), No. N/A, RV (Coaches), No. 101 (NET), No. 86 (Kenpom), No. 79 (Barttorvik)

The Michigan Wolverines' nightmare season continues as they travel to the Breslin Center to take on the Spartans and will do so without their best player, Dug McDaniel, who is currently suspended for all away games due to academic issues.

In McDaniel's absence, a lot of the production load will be picked up by senior forward Olivier Nkamhoua, who is averaging 16.3 points per game and 7.1 rebounds. McDaniel is a piece that makes Michigan go, especially offensively, so the Wolverines will look to handle the offensive load by committee.

This Michigan defense is allowing 79.2 points per game and has allowed at least 88 points in three-straight contests, so performances like that are nothing new. Michigan has the conference's worst defense in terms of points per game allowed, while the Wolverines also allow opponents to shoot at a 45.3% clip (ranking 13th out of 14 Big Ten teams)

The Wolverines also surrender 36.1% shooting on 3-pointers (13th in the Big Ten) and 19.5 free-throw attempts per game. Michigan State's offense needs to take advantage of UM's defensive deficiencies on Tuesday night.

The Spartans are miles ahead of the Wolverines defensively, especially at forcing missed shots. Michigan State should also dominate the turnover battle, which will help the team a lot on Tuesday.

I expect Michigan State to do what most teams in the Big Ten have done this year and beat Michigan. With Dug McDaniel, the Wolverines might have a small chance against MSU, but without him and on the road, I just don't think they have to personnel to hang with the Spartans.

Prediction: Michigan State 78, Michigan 65

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