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

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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

3. Feed the post early and often

This could have the feel of one of those Nick Ward-type of games. Texas Tech plays great defense but it makes up for a lack of serious depth in the post with quick movement and plenty of help-side action. But that’s where Ward and Xavier Tillman can come into play.

The Red Raiders have shown the ability to crash on big men when they get the ball deep into the post, but Ward has been much better at getting the ball out to the perimeter and avoiding traffic. There are times where he can be a little stubborn and tries to look for his own show with 2-3 defenders in his area code, but this has to be something Tom Izzo has stressed this week.

Texas Tech is going to muddy up the paint. It’s not going to give up easy buckets near the basket, but it’ll be tough to stop Ward when he’s backing down guys he has size advantages on.

Tillman, too, will have to make sure he’s either passing right out of traffic or going up strong to use the Red Raiders’ lack of depth in the post to his advantage.

Even if feeding the post means getting the ball right back out for open perimeter shots, Michigan State needs to get the ball in to Ward and Tillman often to make the Red Raiders think twice about crashing down.

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