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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Elite Eight battle with Duke

By Connor Muldowney

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Gabe Brown #13 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a three point basket against the LSU Tigers during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Gabe Brown #13 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a three point basket against the LSU Tigers during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Duke stands between Michigan State basketball and another Final Four appearance on Sunday night. What can we expect from the Spartans?

Mike Krzyzewski knows the record. Tom Izzo does, too. The two Hall of Fame coaches have battled it out 12 times over the court of their storied careers and Coach K has won 11 of those.

But at some point, Izzo is going to get win No. 2 against the best coach in the college ranks, and why not on Sunday night as Michigan State takes on No. 1 seeded Duke in the Elite Eight?

The Blue Devils have looked beatable for the past three games, especially the previous two, and have escaped bouts with UCF and Virginia Tech by the slimmest of margins. Missed layups in the final seconds by both opponents cost them potential upsets and Duke has to feel lucky it’s still in the tournament at this point.

Michigan State isn’t going to take this Duke team lightly, by any means. It has the most talent of just about any team in the nation, led by Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett, and stopping that offense will be a headache.

What can we expect from Sunday’s big game between the Spartans and Blue Devils?

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