Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Final Four vs. Texas Tech

Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Final Four battle vs. Texas Tech

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with his teammates after a basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans hits a three point basket late in the game against Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

4. Michigan State makes over 40 percent of its threes

All the talk heading into Saturday night’s game against Texas Tech is about the Red Raiders’ defensive prowess. They have the best defense in college basketball and even held a No. 2 seeded Michigan team to a lethargic 44 points.

On top of that, they held Northern Kentucky to 57, Buffalo to 58 and Gonzaga to 69. This defense knows how to lock down and doesn’t allow easy buckets near the hoop.

A reason for this dominance is the no-middle defense. They don’t allow teams to drive down the middle of the lane, instead forcing teams baseline. They all crash down on ball-handlers who try to take it down the middle or bigs in the post in one-on-one situations.

With this defense, though, guys are often left open on the perimeter to take low-percentage shots. The Spartans will take advantage and make the open looks that Texas Tech will dare them to take, making over 40 percent of them.

The Spartans will make 9-of-19 shots from 3-point range on the night.

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