Michigan State is looking to make its second straight Sweet 16 on Saturday and that’s going to require a big win over a shorthanded Louisville team which will be without its second-best player.
The Cardinals showed in round one, however, that they’re not just going to roll over. They can still get hot and cause problems for defenses, but South Florida is a different beast than Michigan State.
Saturday afternoon’s game should be interesting.
Let’s get bold ahead of the Round of 32 matchup.
1. We finally get a Jordan Scott breakout game
Ever since Jordan Scott scored in double figures for six straight games at the end of January for three weeks, he hasn’t touched the double-digit plateau. He’s scored five or fewer points three times and 6-9 points three times. Scott’s offense has taken a bit of a hit.
I think we see him getting that offensive confidence back against Louisville.
Scott’s going to hit a couple of big threes in the first half to give him the confidence he needs to stay warm in the second half and score in double figures for the first time in a month. We could even see the freshman wing score a career high. I’ll say he finishes with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
2. Two bench players score 10+
What we saw from the bench in the opening round was refreshing, and that momentum is going to carry over into the Round of 32 on Saturday.
Trey Fort had himself a nice game off the bench, scoring seven, and Cam Ward finished with 13 and was doing everything right. Kur Teng was a little quiet with just one three, but we all know he’s capable of much more. Heck, even Denham Wojcik chipped in with four of his own.
Against Louisville, the Spartans will have two 10-point scorers off the bench. Who will they be? I’m going with Kur Teng in a bounce-back performance and then Ward again. I do think Fort scores five off the bench, but this isn’t his time yet. That might be coming if the Spartans advance.
3. Early 3-point scare turns into comfortable MSU win
The Spartans are going to come out of the gates ready, but that doesn’t mean anything when Louisville is hitting prayers from 25-30 feed. Isaac McKneely is going to stay hot from deep in the first few minutes, putting the Spartans on notice with a couple of circus threes with hands in his face. Ryan Conwell, too, will get hot early and Michigan State fans will be ready to hit the panic button.
Then Tom Izzo will call a timeout, get his guys in order, and the early 3-point barrage will be forgotten with a long Michigan State run to end the half and the Spartans will lead by six.
In the second half, Louisville won’t be able to buy threes and Michigan State will extend that lead and win by double figures. I think it’ll still be a good game, but the final score won’t exactly reflect how close this one truly is.
Michigan State wins 76-65.