PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* Rd 2 BEST OF THE BEST >> 14-7 (67%) Last 5 Days!
(NCAAB) Michigan State vs. Kansas,
Point Spread: 7.50 | -103.00 Michigan State (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 7.50 | -103.00 Michigan State (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: This is hardly Tom Izzo's best team, as the ninth-seeded Spartans are just 20-14 after their impressive 78-58 win over Miami, Fl. on Friday. They will meet the top-seeded Jayhawks (No. 2 overall seed in the tourney) on Sunday, who are 29-4 after spanking UC-Davis 100-62. It may be a No. 9 seed vs. a No. 1 seed on paper but in reality, these are two of the most successful programs in college hoops. MSU has a chance at a 20th trip to the Sweet Sixteen and fifth in six years. As for Kansas, it can reach the Sweet Sixteen for the 30th time in school history.
Michigan State: Tom Izzo's Spartans are a freshman-dominated squad and as Izzo noted after the Spartans produced one of their best efforts of the season in a 78-58 win over Miami (Fl.) , "I was worried about whether these freshmen would handle the big stage, even though they've been on one, but it's still the NCAA Tournament, and the difference now is it's one-and-done time," he said. "What a cool thing to watch happen, and I'd like to keep it going a little while." 6-7 freshman swingman Bridges (16.7 & 8.3) has been the team's main man all season and he had 18 & 9 vs. Miami. The 6-8 Ward (13.9 & 6.6), another freshman, led with 19 points and added seven rebounds. MSU shot 56.6 percent as a team, while holding Miami to 40.4 percent, including 4 of 16 on threes.
Kansas: The Jayhawks won the Big 12's regular season title for the 13th straight time this year but he coach Bill Slef suspended oustanding 6-7 freshman swingman Jackson (16.4 & 7.2) for Kansas' opening game of the Big 12 tourney. The Jayhawks lost that one but Jackson (17 & 7) was back against UC-Davis, as all five starrters scored in double digits, As always, Kansas was led by possible player-of-the-year, PG Frank Mason III (20.8-4.2-5.20. He had 22 points, five rebounds and eight assists. The 6-10 Lucas (8.1 & 8.5) is the team's best big man plus joining Mason on the perimeter are Graham (13.2 & 4.3 APG) and Mykhailiuk (9.8).
The pick: The Jayhawks are a terrific team and as noted, Mason may be POY. However, it's not like the Jayhawks haven't underachieved before in the Big Dance. Izzo is 47-18 (.723) in the NCAA Tournament for his career and owns 14 wins when Michigan State is the lower seed, which is an NCAA Tournament record. Can you say 15? Make Michigan State a 10* play.
Michigan State: Tom Izzo's Spartans are a freshman-dominated squad and as Izzo noted after the Spartans produced one of their best efforts of the season in a 78-58 win over Miami (Fl.) , "I was worried about whether these freshmen would handle the big stage, even though they've been on one, but it's still the NCAA Tournament, and the difference now is it's one-and-done time," he said. "What a cool thing to watch happen, and I'd like to keep it going a little while." 6-7 freshman swingman Bridges (16.7 & 8.3) has been the team's main man all season and he had 18 & 9 vs. Miami. The 6-8 Ward (13.9 & 6.6), another freshman, led with 19 points and added seven rebounds. MSU shot 56.6 percent as a team, while holding Miami to 40.4 percent, including 4 of 16 on threes.
Kansas: The Jayhawks won the Big 12's regular season title for the 13th straight time this year but he coach Bill Slef suspended oustanding 6-7 freshman swingman Jackson (16.4 & 7.2) for Kansas' opening game of the Big 12 tourney. The Jayhawks lost that one but Jackson (17 & 7) was back against UC-Davis, as all five starrters scored in double digits, As always, Kansas was led by possible player-of-the-year, PG Frank Mason III (20.8-4.2-5.20. He had 22 points, five rebounds and eight assists. The 6-10 Lucas (8.1 & 8.5) is the team's best big man plus joining Mason on the perimeter are Graham (13.2 & 4.3 APG) and Mykhailiuk (9.8).
The pick: The Jayhawks are a terrific team and as noted, Mason may be POY. However, it's not like the Jayhawks haven't underachieved before in the Big Dance. Izzo is 47-18 (.723) in the NCAA Tournament for his career and owns 14 wins when Michigan State is the lower seed, which is an NCAA Tournament record. Can you say 15? Make Michigan State a 10* play.
