Spartan Tipoff: MSU vs. Jacksonville

• Where: Breslin Center

• When: 7 p.m. today

• TV/Radio: Big Ten Network (satellite only); Spartan Sports Network radio, including WJIM 1240-AM and WMMQ 94.9-FM

• Records: MSU 5-1; Jacksonville 3-2.

• Series: Jacksonville leads 1-0, winning 65-63 in 1976 at home.

• Coaches: MSU - Tom Izzo is 283-122 in his 13th season, all with the Spartans. Jacksonville - Cliff Warren is 19-42 in his third season, all with the Dolphins.

• Projected lineups

MSU

Pos. Name PPG

F (41) Marquise Gray (6-8) 6.8

C (14) Goran Suton (6-10) 10.2

F (2) Raymar Morgan (6-7) 17.0

G (5) Travis Walton (6-2) 3.5

G (11) Drew Neitzel (6-0) 15.0

Jacksonville

F (10) Ayron Hardy (6-5) 8.3

F (41) Lehmon Colbert (6-7) 14.3

F (45) Marcus Allen (6-7) 12.8

G (3) Ben Smith (5-10) 18.0

G (33) Andre McMillan (6-2) 1.5

• MSU update: There will be some anticipation around MSU's starting lineup today, after Walton replaced freshman Kalin Lucas on Wednesday and the veterans dominated early in an 81-58 rout of North Carolina State. The guess here is Walton starts again because he seemed to benefit from it, the defense is able to set the tone with Walton leading it, and Lucas' speed provides a nice change of pace a few minutes into the game. Regardless of who starts, it won't change the distribution of minutes. MSU will be looking to build on its best performance of the season, with a treacherous road week - at Bradley and BYU - straight ahead.

• Jacksonville update: The Dolphins are part of the Atlantic Sun Conference, which includes Gardner-Webb and Belmont. Jacksonville has lost two straight after a 3-0 start. One of the losses was a respectable 84-72 defeat at UAB, which is coached by former Indiana coach Mike Davis and features former IU star Robert Vaden. MSU's perimeter defense will be tested by Smith, whose quickness has gotten him to the line 40 times (making 37) in five games. This team has some athleticism, but not much size and it doesn't shoot very well. One interesting note: Both teams boast alums who are former NBA slam dunk champs: the Dolphins' Dee Brown (1991) and MSU's Jason Richardson (2002 and 2003).

• Prediction: The Spartans will look to maintain Wednesday's intensity and sharpness with a tough part of the schedule on the way.

• Make it: MSU 84, Jacksonville 65

- Joe Rexrode