Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Syracuse in round two

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the second half against the Bucknell Bison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans and Nana Foulland #20 of the Bucknell Bisons fight for the rebound during the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2. Spartans have no problems breaking the zone

Syracuse is known for one thing and that’s a 2-3 zone defense. Jim Boeheim runs the zone rather effectively and it can give opponents fits throughout the course of games.

The Orange hold opponents to about 64 points per game which is the 14th-best mark in the nation and they’ve been solid thus far in the NCAA Tournament, giving up just 56 points to Arizona State in the play-in game and 52 points to 6-seed TCU.

Michigan State is going to break that zone on Sunday afternoon, scoring over 75 against Syracuse. Gaining confidence after an opening round win over Bucknell by scoring 82 and shaking off any rust they had from a two-week break, the Spartans will know the ins and outs of the zone defense heading into Sunday’s matchup.

The Spartans are usually poor against zone defenses, but this time it will be Michigan State’s game. The Spartans will catch fire early and never look back.

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