The modern landscape in college basketball is said to be dominated by guard play, but don’t tell Tom Izzo that.

His Michigan State teams always include talented and heady guards, from Mateen Cleaves to Drew Neitzel to Kalin Lucas. The 2012-13 version is no different with the likes of Keith Appling and Gary Harris manning the perimeter.

The defining trait of almost all of Izzo’s teams, though, is rebounding, and it’s that trait that will be Illinois’ chief concern Thursday night when it travels to Michigan State.

“They’ve got great size,” Illinois head coach John Groce said. “As all of his teams have done over the years, they rebound really well. Guys know their roles.”

Three players in particular — Derrick Nix, Adreian Payne and Branden Dawson — embody that rebounding prowess. Nix, Payne and Dawson average 6.8, 6.9 and 6.7 rebounds per game, respectively, and often use offensive rebounds as an opportunity for easy points, which is reflected in their field goal percentages. All three players average over 52 percent from the field, with Payne near the top of the conference at 61 percent.

Illinois center Nnanna Egwu will shoulder the considerable load of keeping Michigan State’s post players off the offensive glass and is well-versed in the scouting report for each one.

“Nix and Payne are both strong guys,” Egwu said. “Payne has a nice touch from the outside. You got to know where Dawson is, find him and box him out. He’s a really good offensive rebounder. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

The Illini have experienced  rebounding troubles in the past against teams like the Boilermakers and Golden Gophers, but Groce thinks his big men have made strides over the course of the year, even outrebounding Michigan on the offensive glass Sunday.

“Without question, Griffey, McLaurin and Nnanna have significantly improved in many of those areas,” Groce said.

Even if Illinois’ post players are able to stymie the Michigan State rebounding attack, the Illini’s guards still have to contain the Spartans’ guards. Groce said he particularly was impressed with Appling, who acts as the veteran presence for Michigan State.

“I think he’s a winner,” Groce said. “He makes plays at winning time in the guts of the game.”

Like most of Izzo’s teams, one player doesn’t make or break the team. 

Appling leads the Spartans in scoring at 13.5 points per game, but No. 13 Michigan State hung with No. 7 Indiana until the very end of that game Sunday despite Appling turning in his most disappointing performance of the season, finishing with three points.

For Illinois to steal a victory in East Lansing, Mich., some of its elusive 3-point shots need to swish through the hoop. There’s a cautious feeling around the team that they will.

“They eventually fall,” senior guard D.J. Richardson said. “But we have to do other stuff besides shooting. Get to the basket, get to the free-throw line and, obviously, get more offensive rebounds. Find other ways to win.”

Thomas can be reached at [email protected] and @ThomasBruch.