3 bold predictions for Michigan State basketball vs. North Carolina

2. Tyson Walker out-duels RJ Davis

At first glance, this may not seem like a bold prediction as Tyson Walker is one of the best guards from the Big Ten and no stranger to the NCAA Tournament, but RJ Davis is the ACC Player of the Year and he averaged over 21 points per game this season.

Walker out-dueling the elite North Carolina guard would be a monumental occurrence.

Over the past few weeks, it feels like Walker has gotten his mojo back. For over a month, it felt like his groin injury was going to doom his season, but he's been moving around much better and he's been playing like the All-Big Ten player that we saw early in Big Ten play and back in the non-conference. He's scored at least 15 in five straight games and he finally got that efficiency back on track against Mississippi State with a 7-for-12 outing.

Davis did have 22 points on a cool 62 percent shooting in North Carolina's first-round win over Wagner, but they didn't quite have the perimeter defenders that Michigan State has.

Josh Hubbard was shut down by a combination of Michigan State's guards and I think Davis will be contained more than he's used to. He'll still finish with 17 points, but he'll shoot well under 50 percent and Walker will have 21 on 60 percent shooting.

Will this be the difference in the game?