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Michigan State basketball is back in the NCAA Tournament and will begin its potential run to the Final Four on Friday against No. 15 seed Bryant in Cleveland. And Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal is here to help break down the game and provide his prediction.
The Spartans and Bulldogs will hit the floor late on Friday night with a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on the line. Tip off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET on Friday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
As we know, Michigan State comes into this game as the Big Ten champions and as a heavy favorite in this matchup. The Spartans -- who are a No. 2 seed -- haven't been higher than a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament since they last reached the Final Four in 2019.
Bryant comes into this game as the both the America East Conference regular season and tournament champions and looking for the program's first ever NCAA Tournament win. The Bulldogs are playing in only their second NCAA Tournament game all-time, with the first being a loss in a Four Four matchup in 2022.
For those who aren't terribly familiar with Bryant, here's a bit of what Couch had to say about the Bulldogs:
"The Bulldogs lost 99-77 at St. John's (which, like MSU, is a 2 seed in this NCAA tournament) on Dec. 11. Their best win, via Kenpom, is at No. 186 Drexel on Dec. 2. The Bulldogs are coached by Phil Martelli Jr., son of the famed St. Joseph's coach and former Michigan assistant, who's a close friend of Izzo. Martelli Jr. joked on Thursday that he thinks his dad is rooting for his team over MSU, but he's not sure."
As of this matchup as a whole, Couch believes it'll come down to the following:
Ultimately, Couch has the Spartans coming out on top, but does he think it'll be a close game or a blowout? Check out his complete prediction on the Lansing State Journal.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU-Bryant Prediction, Matchup Analysis from LSJ's Graham Couch
Continue reading...
The Spartans and Bulldogs will hit the floor late on Friday night with a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on the line. Tip off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET on Friday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
As we know, Michigan State comes into this game as the Big Ten champions and as a heavy favorite in this matchup. The Spartans -- who are a No. 2 seed -- haven't been higher than a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament since they last reached the Final Four in 2019.
Bryant comes into this game as the both the America East Conference regular season and tournament champions and looking for the program's first ever NCAA Tournament win. The Bulldogs are playing in only their second NCAA Tournament game all-time, with the first being a loss in a Four Four matchup in 2022.
For those who aren't terribly familiar with Bryant, here's a bit of what Couch had to say about the Bulldogs:
"The Bulldogs lost 99-77 at St. John's (which, like MSU, is a 2 seed in this NCAA tournament) on Dec. 11. Their best win, via Kenpom, is at No. 186 Drexel on Dec. 2. The Bulldogs are coached by Phil Martelli Jr., son of the famed St. Joseph's coach and former Michigan assistant, who's a close friend of Izzo. Martelli Jr. joked on Thursday that he thinks his dad is rooting for his team over MSU, but he's not sure."
As of this matchup as a whole, Couch believes it'll come down to the following:
- How does Bryant handle the "severe step up" in competition against the Spartans?
- How does Rafael Pinzon handle being guarded by Jaden Akins and Michigan State's collective perimeter defense?
- Will Bryant stick with their system of fast-paced play and try to run with the Spartans?
Ultimately, Couch has the Spartans coming out on top, but does he think it'll be a close game or a blowout? Check out his complete prediction on the Lansing State Journal.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU-Bryant Prediction, Matchup Analysis from LSJ's Graham Couch
Continue reading...
