The good news is that Michigan State knows what its biggest issue is before the games officially start. The bad news is that there's a big issue already.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley spelled out in black and white what it was after his Huskies handled MSU at the Breslin Center last week. The Spartans had an issue at center, but if they can figure it out, they've really got something.

"If their team could figure out the center thing, you know, and they’ve got three viable guys there that all bring different things,” Hurley said. "I think that once they get this center thing together, I think they've got one of the best teams in the country."

Analyzing Center Problems

Michigan State center Anton Bonke (34) battles for possession during an exhibition against UConn at the Breslin Center on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on SI

The five was and is the spot that would make or break whether the Spartans, ranked sixth in the preseason AP Poll, could truly become a national…