Analyzing the Spartans
The Key
Home cookin’. Michigan State is playing less than 90 miles from its East Lansing campus. Perhaps the energy from this “neutral” site can help the Spartans do what they need to do against a bigger team: control the boards.
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The Troublemaker
Kalin Lucas is the playmaker and Goran Suton is the hot player, but guard Travis Walton is the pest. His defense on the best opposing guard sets a tone. He gives the Spartans a chance to control UConn’s leading scorer, A.J. Price.
Why they’ll win it all
The Spartans have excellent guards to go with Suton’s scoring and rebounding. Lucas can attack the basket and Suton can draw Hasheem Thabeet outside, while also playing physical inside. Their man-to-man defense is fantastic.
Why they’ll fall short
Michigan State has not faced an inside presence like Thabeet, who averages 4.3 blocks per game. The Spartans also don’t shoot the three well enough to consistently unclog the middle. And, while Lucas is exceptional, he does not rate an edge in this game.
Quote
“Michigan State’s going to get you in a grind. You’ve got to get out and run. Once they get their defense set, they do an incredible job of guarding the elbows and the blocks.”
– Texas coach Rick Barnes for Sporting News Today.
