3 Things to Watch For: Michigan State vs. UConn Ranked Exhibition

Basketball season is kicking off, with the NBA beginning its season and Michigan State facing UConn to bring college basketball right up to the starting line in a ranked exhibition matchup.

It’s a fantastic opponent for head coach Tom Izzo and the Spartans to open the season against. For the second year in a row, Michigan State will square off against one of the best teams in the country, giving the Spartans an early look at what they excel at and what needs serious work throughout the season.

Last year, the Spartans entered the season ranked No. 22, with expectations lowered due to uncertainty surrounding the roster and its depth. Michigan State ultimately found its identity early and climbed into the top 15, spending much of the season inside the top 10. That journey started with a season-opening win against a ranked Arkansas team, which came after the Spartans battled tough and narrowly lost to UConn in an exhibition matchup.

The butterfly effect of these exhibition games is difficult to measure. They can help players thrive and build confidence before a grueling nonconference schedule. They can also show teams how they stack up against elite competition, something Izzo will put his Spartans through countless times this season.

This year, Michigan State enters the matchup ranked No. 6, while UConn sits at No. 4. Both teams have the highest expectations, with their sights set on a championship.

For Michigan State to accomplish that goal, the Spartans need to do more than simply make the Final Four. They need to start identifying who they are, recognizing weaknesses that need to be addressed and finding a rhythm together. Here are three things to watch for as they take on UConn.

The Spartans should feature a wide variety of lineup combinations tonight. I love the idea of using the freshman four alongside a veteran, as we saw in Michigan State’s first exhibition matchup against Incarnate Word. This time, though, I’d like to see those freshmen broken up a little more.

That can be difficult when you have a starting lineup that appears set, but once the game gets going, I’d be surprised if Izzo didn’t start experimenting with different combinations to see what works best.

It’s especially exciting to watch that process this year because of the depth Michigan State has. Against a tough opponent like UConn, this is the perfect opportunity for Izzo to mix and match lineups, evaluate what works and see which combinations can hold their own against a top team.

Izzo had no problem giving his four freshmen extended playing time in the first exhibition matchup, and I want to see even more of them tonight.

The Spartans have a good idea of what they can expect from their veterans. It’s easy to see how guys like Jordan Scott and Jesse McCullough have worked to improve their games from year one to year two, but the four freshmen are the group I’m most excited to see battle a No. 4 UConn team.

Can Ethan Taylor lead the team in rebounds again? Can Carlos Medlock Jr. and Jasiah Jervis show off their scoring abilities, something Michigan State has lacked from its depth players in recent years? Can Julius Avent carve out a pivotal role?

Those are just some of the questions that could start to be answered tonight. Giving the freshmen opportunities against elite competition could help Izzo determine how much he can rely on them when the regular season gets underway.

There’s a good chance this game comes down to a close contest when it’s all said and done. Although the exhibition won’t affect the standings or the official statistics, the final few possessions could still provide a valuable glimpse into how this team handles pressure.

I’m most excited to see who steps up to take the clutch shots when Michigan State needs a basket and whether those shots fall.

More often than not, Jeremy Fears Jr. will likely be the player trusted to deliver in late-game situations. However, there will be times when Fears needs to dish the ball out, creating opportunities for his teammates to step up.

Tonight could give us an early look at who else on this roster is ready to take and make big shots when the pressure is on. Against a team as talented as UConn, those moments could reveal a lot about Michigan State’s options in close games later in the season.

While the result of an exhibition game won't determine the Spartans' season, the lessons they take away from it could prove valuable. Against a top-four opponent, Michigan State has an opportunity to test its depth, evaluate its freshmen and begin building the confidence it will need for a championship run.