Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for 2019 NCAA Tournament
By Nate Rhoades
2. Spartans overcome Duke hurdle
Michigan State and Duke are on a collision course to play each other and square off in the Elite Eight with how the East Region is set up.
Many people are predicting Duke will win it all with ease because they have the talent — and Zion Williamson. In fact, if you watched anyone on Selection Sunday they were talking about how good this Michigan State team is but they don’t have Zion — it was Zion this, Zion that. However, the Spartans have more than enough to beat the Blue Devils.
No the Spartans don’t have Zion or RJ Barrett but these two are freshmen. This tournament, though, is a different experience. Freshmen can get flustered and lose focus and crack under the pressure of this one-and-done style of play.
Kentucky a few years ago relied heavily on Karl-Anthony Towns and the rest of its star-studded freshmen but ended up losing in the Elite Eight game to Wisconsin. It was freshmen vs. experience and that is exactly what this Elite Eight game will be.
Duke is led by the two freshman phenoms but will they be able to handle the pressure of playing on this big stage for the first time?
Michigan State is lead by a plethora of upperclassmen, mainly juniors Nick Ward and Cassius Winston and seniors Matt McQuaid and Kenny Goins. All four of these guys have been on this big stage before they know how to win in games like these. They are also hungry to get to the Final Four because they have not made one yet in the time they have been on Tom Izzo’s squad.
Michigan State will beat Duke by 10 points to make it to the Final Four.