- Paris Olympics takeaways: What did Team USA’s crunch-time lineup say about NBA’s hierarchy?Posted 3 months ago
- Zach Edey posted an easy double-double in Summer League debut. Here’s why he’ll succeed in NBAPosted 5 months ago
- What will we most remember these champion Boston Celtics for?Posted 5 months ago
- After long, seven-year road filled with excruciating losses, Celtics’ coast to NBA title felt ‘surreal’Posted 5 months ago
- South Florida men’s basketball is on an unbelievable heater– but also still on the bubblePosted 9 months ago
- Kobe Bufkin is balling out for Atlanta Hawks’ G League team. When will he be called up to NBA?Posted 10 months ago
- Former Knicks guards Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett may yet prove Raptors won the OG Anunoby tradePosted 11 months ago
- Rebounding savant Oscar Tshiebwe finally gets NBA chance he’s deserved for yearsPosted 11 months ago
- Is Tyrese Maxey vs. Tyrese Haliburton the next great NBA guard rivalry?Posted 1 year ago
- The Detroit Pistons are going to be a problem in a few yearsPosted 1 year ago
NCAA Tournament Predictions: 3. Michigan State vs. 14. Valparaiso
- Updated: March 18, 2013
Guard Gary Harris
3. Michigan State (25-8, 13-5 Big Ten)- The Spartans don’t have many stars, but they are led by steady point guard Keith Appling, who averages 13.5 points, 3.5 boards and 3.5 assists per game. The junior guard is one of the more underrated players in the nation. Bruising guard Gary Harris and 6-10 junior forward Adrian Payne give the Spartans are also key offensive contributors, averaging 12.9 and 10.4 points respectively.Derrick Nix also adds plenty of size and bulk inside.
The Spartans own wins over Michigan, Kansas, Ohio State and Wisconsin. They reached the Big Ten semifinals and somehow went 13-5 in the rugged Big Ten despite not having the talent that some other teams have. Never count out Tom Izzo; he is an exceptional coach.
KEY STATS:
55th Rebounds Per Game (37.3)
50th Field Goal Percentage (.460)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ryan Broekhoff
14 Valparaiso (26-7, 13-3 Horizon)- The Crusaders got here thanks to leading scorer Ryan Broekhoff, who hit this crazy game-winner to keep their season alive in the Horizon League semifinals. Broekhoff is obviously a clutch scorer, but he also puts up 15.9 points and 7 boards per game. He was named the Horizon League Player of the Year.
They probably can’t match up with Michigan State’s size though, and it’s tough to think that anyone is going to out game-plan Tom Izzo. They also don’t rebound well enough to beat the rugged Spartans, ranking 248th in rebounds per game.
Still, the Crusaders are a terrific shooting team, ranking sixth in the nation in field goal percentage.
KEY STATS:
6th Field Goal Percentage
248th Rebounds Per Game
