Michigan State has dealt with a lot this offseason, from coach Tom Izzo testing positive for COVID-19 earlier in November to having to replace its top two scorers from last season. But the Spartans have a chance at a 2-0 start as they face a gutted Notre Dame bunch.
The Fighting Irish lost their top two scorers, including John Mooney, who led players among power-five conference schools in rebounds per game. This should allow Michigan State, which has ranked in the top 10 in rebound rate among all Division I schools each of the past three seasons, to dominate on the glass.
Transfer Joey Hauser sat out last season, per NCAA transfer rules, and made the wait worth it in his debut against Eastern Michigan, collecting 15 points and nine rebounds.
At 6-foot-9, he provides an outside presence, and he made 42.5 percent of his 3-point shots at Marquette.
The Spartans also welcome back Joshua Langford, who returned to the floor for the first time in 23 months against Eastern Michigan and is a career 40.4 percent 3-point shooter. Prior to missing the second half of the 2018-19 season, he was averaging 15 points per game.
Notre Dame has a tradition of not beating itself, ranking in the top 10 in fewest turnovers per game each of the past six seasons. But Michigan State does not rely on turnovers to ignite its offense, ranking in the bottom 40 in turnovers forced on a per-possession basis each of the past six seasons.
With the emergence of guard Foster Loyer, who made six of his 10 3-pointers vs. Eastern Michigan, the Spartans should get a convincing win over Notre Dame.
The play: Michigan State, -10.
