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Michigan State Basketball: Game preview, prediction vs. Miami

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 16, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Alvin Ellis III (3) and guard Miles Bridges (22) during practice at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Alvin Ellis III (3) and guard Miles Bridges (22) during practice at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball faces a big matchup with No. 8 seed Miami on Friday and here’s everything you need to know.

The day has finally come. Michigan State basketball will find out just how well it plays with its back against the wall. Although the Spartans were bounced early from the Big Ten Tournament, Tom Izzo stated that he wanted to make sure his guys knew how important this time of year was.

Must Read: 5 reasons Michigan State will beat Miami

Young freshmen will have to step up and play like veterans and guys like Alvin Ellis III and Tum Tum Nairn need to make sure they lead. Miami awaits in Tulsa, Okla., and it wont’ be the easiest of matchups. The Hurricanes have beaten some of the top teams in the country this season and the Spartans are aware.

Bruce Brown, a talented freshman for the Hurricanes, will be a name to keep an eye on as he could be Miami’s X-factor.

Will Michigan State put last year’s NCAA Tournament upset behind it and move on to the second round?

Here’s how you can watch Friday’s Michigan State game:

Date: Friday, March 17
Start Time: 9:20 p.m. ET
Location: Tulsa, OK
Venue: BOK Center
TV: TNT
Live Stream: March Madness Live

Keys to Victory

Offensively, the Spartans need to make Miami play at their pace. What do I mean by this? Well, the Hurricanes like to slow the pace of games and keep teams in the 50-60 point range, but the Spartans like to get out and run. Gas Miami out by getting out in the fast break and forcing them to play up-tempo ball to keep up.

As for the defensive side of things, keeping Nick Ward out of foul trouble is imperative. The big man needs to be on the floor for 20-plus minutes in order for the Spartans to win and he’s been known to pick up some quick fouls. Hands up on defense and no reaching in. Staying out of foul trouble and defending the perimeter are the two keys on defense.

Fun Facts

  • This is Michigan State’s 20th straight NCAA Tournament appearance — the third-longest streak in the country.
  • Tom Izzo has never lost in the first round in consecutive seasons.
  • Two of the three previous first-round defeats were followed by runs to at least the Elite Eight.
  • The last time Michigan State faced Miami was 2012-13, losing by eight on the road.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Miami -2
Over/Under: 126

Related Story: 5 bold predictions for 2017 NCAA Tournament

Prediction

There’s an important streak on the line and Michigan State needs to beat Miami in order to make sure that Tom Izzo doesn’t lose in the first round for the second straight year in his tenure. Miles Bridges won’t let that happen. Will this be his last game in a Spartan uniform? We have yet to find out, but he will play as if that’s the case, finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Nick Ward will add 15 and eight rebounds. Cassius Winston will finally break out of his offensive slump, but it will take a late 3-pointer from Josh Langford to put the game away. Miami hangs tough.

Final: Michigan State 67, Miami 64

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