Michigan State Basketball: 5 keys to victory over Texas Tech in Final Four

Can Michigan State basketball take down No. 3 seed Texas Tech in the Final Four? If they expects to, the Spartans will need to do these five things.

The time is coming. Michigan State is just hours away from proving that it belongs in the title game, attempting to bring home its first national championship since 2000 and the second under Tom Izzo’s reign.

Heck, the Big Ten needs this title, too, as it’s been that same amount of time without a crown for the conference. Will that change on Saturday night?

If it does, Michigan State needs to follow the game plan to perfection.

Here’s what the Spartans need to do to take down Texas Tech and advance to the title game on Monday night.

5. Defend the perimeter

This has been one of the biggest keys in each matchup for the Spartans, but it’ll be especially important against the Red Raiders.

In fact, Texas Tech makes 37 percent of their shots from distance and four of the Red Raiders’ top five scorers have attempted more than 100 on the season. That means that they’re not afraid to launch if they’re open and they make an impressive clip.

Jarrett Culver, Davide Moretti, Matt Mooney and Brandone Francis can all make the Spartans pay for leaving them open from deep.

It’s going to be up to Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry and Matt McQuaid — even Kenny Goins — to lock down the perimeter and force Texas Tech to put the ball on the floor.