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Michigan State Basketball: 5 reasons the Spartans will beat Duke in Elite 8

By Connor Muldowney

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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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) /

3. Perimeter shooting

On one side, Michigan State is known for lighting it up from long range, making about 38 percent of their threes. On the other, Duke has found itself in offensive ruts where it settles for outside jumpers which isn’t ideal considering the Blue Devils make about 32 percent.

The perimeter shooting for each side will make a difference.

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Duke is going to be forced outside, taking threes that it probably shouldn’t while the Spartans will either drive and kick or facilitate around the perimeter and inside-out to find an open man for an easy three.

Watching Duke play against Virginia Tech proved one thing: the Blue Devils can sometimes get lazy in their defense of the three-ball. The Hokies consistently found open guys on the perimeter, but they couldn’t make the shots when it mattered most.

Matt McQuaid, Cassius Winston, Kenny Goins, Aaron Henry and Gabe Brown are going to take advantage of a tiring Duke defense, making 40 percent of their 3-point tries.

Duke, on the other hand, will struggle from distance.

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