Michigan State basketball: 5 bold predictions for Sweet 16 bout vs. LSU

Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Sweet 16 matchup vs. LSU

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Cassius Winston #5, Foster Loyer #3, Xavier Tillman #23 and Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate from the bench against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

1. Michigan State survives, advances to face Duke

The one matchup that everyone and their brother has been talking about when the brackets were revealed on Selection Sunday was Michigan State and Duke.

Being slotted in the same region as the Blue Devils was thought to be a curse, but after watching Duke struggle against UCF, it was apparent that this was a beatable team.

But that’s not to say the Spartans are perfect — they are far from it.

Michigan State will outlast LSU thanks to Kenny Goins and Matt McQuaid’s huge shots in the final minutes to completely shift the momentum and give the Spartans a three-point win which will set up a monster showdown in D.C. against the Blue Devils.

Tom Izzo has struggle against Mike Krzyzewski over the course of his career, going just 1-11, but this could be his most winnable game yet — or so it seems after last round.

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Sunday will be a huge day for the Spartans as they’ll gear up to face Duke after a nail-biting win over the Tigers.

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