How to watch Michigan State vs. Western Michigan – NCAA Men’s Basketball (12/30/24) | Channel, stream, preview

On By Littum

Michigan State closes out non-conference play against a familiar face.

After a nine-day break, no. 18 The Spartans (10-2, 2-0 Big Ten) host Western Michigan (3-8, 0-0 MAC) on Monday (3 p.m., BTN) at the Breslin Center. The Broncos are in their third season under coach Dwayne Stephens, who played for the Spartans and spent nearly two decades on Tom Izzo’s staff in East Lansing.

“I have all the faith in him,” Izzo said of Stephens, who will face the Spartans for the first time as a head coach. “I hope he wins a lot of games, just not the one on Monday.”

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Michigan State is riding a five-game winning streak and has been out since an 86-69 win against Florida Atlantic on Dec. 21. The Spartans continue to have a balanced lineup with guard Jaden Akins (13.3) the only one averaging double figures in scoring. Seven others are at 6.8 or better with 10 players logging at least 13 minutes per game. game.

Western Michigan has lost four straight, including a 76-73 heartbreaker at home against Valparaiso in their last outing on Dec. 20. The Broncos led by 22 points with less than seven minutes left in the second half before falling on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from half-court. Guard Chansey Willis leads the team in scoring (17.0) after missing the first eight games of the season while others have also been sidelined.

“They’ve got a couple of guys that can really fill it up,” Izzo said. “They’ve got a size – they’ve got a big size – and I’d say DJ knows their system pretty well. … He has had a rash of injuries. It has been the no. 1, there has been a problem.”

Michigan State owns a 28-11 advantage in the all-time series against Western Michigan and has won eight straight dating back to 1982. The Spartans cruised to a 90-46 victory against the Broncos in their last meeting in November 2021.

After Monday’s game, Michigan State returns to Big Ten play at Ohio State on Friday.

NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL

No. 18 Michigan State (10-2, 2-0 Big Ten) vs. Western Michigan (3-8, 0-0 MAC)

When: 15.00, Monday

Where: Breslin Center in East Lansing

Channel: BTN

Current: FuboTV (free trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream