Michigan State Spartans
Big Ten (19-14, 10-8)
Coach Tom Izzo had to deal with a lot of injuries this season and Michigan State never really got going. Ben Carter and Gavin Schilling were out for the year before the season even began and that left the Spartans with very little experience in the frontcourt. And then Miles Bridges missed some time and senior Eron Harris suffered a knee injury in February and will miss the postseason. However, Coach Izzo is one of the best in the business for a reason and this is still a dangerous team.
Big Wins: 12/27 at Minnesota (75-74), 1/29 Michigan (70-62), 2/26 Wisconsin (84-74)
Bad Losses: 12/18 Northeastern (73-81), 1/7 vs Penn State (63-72), 1/21 at Indiana (75-82)
Coach: Tom Izzo
Why They Can Surprise:
Bridges has had a superb freshman campaign, averaging 16.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 blocks. The 6-7, 230 pound wing is a matchup nightmare since he can consistently knock down the long ball and score inside. The frontcourt injuries paved the way for Nick Ward to get an opportunity to play as a freshman. And he certainly has taken full advantage of that opportunity. The 6-8 freshman averages 13.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. Bridges and Ward, along with reserve Kenny Goins, do not make this a typically dominating Michigan State team on the glass, but they are solid. And their shot blocking abilities have turned this into a pretty good defense that always has at least one shot blocker patrolling the paint.
Why They Can Disappoint:
This group has quite a few potential problems. They do not get to the free-throw line nearly enough for a team that wants to be physical. Nor do they force turnovers and get easy buckets the other way. But the biggest problem is the turnovers and the overall play of the backcourt. Lourawls Nairn and Cassius Winston can find their teammates effectively, but this team cannot afford to continue to commit 14.3 turnovers per game. The pressure is also on Alvin Ellis and Joshua Langford to help replace Harris. Both are very good shooters, but somebody needs to develop into a bigger scoring threat so the opposition cannot just focus on Bridges and Ward.
Probable Starters:
Lourawls Nairn, Junior, Guard, 3.7 ppg, 3.7 apg
Alvin Ellis, Senior, Guard, 6.5 ppg, 1.2 apg
Joshua Langford, Freshman, Guard, 6.6 ppg, 1.1 apg
Miles Bridges, Freshman, Guard, 16.7 ppg, 2.0 apg, 8.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Nick Ward, Freshman, Forward, 13.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Key Role Players:
Kenny Goins, Sophomore, Forward, 3.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Matt McQuaid, Sophomore, Guard, 5.4 ppg, 1.2 apg
Cassius Winston, Freshman, Guard, 6.7 ppg, 5.1 apg
Kyle Ahrens, Sophomore, Guard, 2.7 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.0 (211th in nation, 11th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 69.1 (94, 8)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.2 (45, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.0 (42, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.8 (130, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.1 (49, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 66.3 (289, 12)
Rebound Margin: 3.2 (84, 5)
Assists Per Game: 17.1 (12, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.3 (281, 13)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2016 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Middle Tennessee State
2015 NCAA Round of 64 win over Georgia
2015 NCAA Round of 32 win over Virginia
2015 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Oklahoma
2015 NCAA Regional Final win over Louisville
2015 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Duke
2014 NCAA Round of 64 win over Delaware
2014 NCAA Round of 32 win over Harvard
2014 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Virginia
2014 NCAA Regional Final loss to Connecticut
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Valparaiso
2013 NCAA Round of 32 win over Memphis
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Duke
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Long Island
2012 NCAA Round of 32 win over St. Louis
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Louisville
2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to UCLA
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over New Mexico State
2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Maryland
2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Northern Iowa
2010 NCAA Regional Final win over Tennessee
2010 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Butler
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Robert Morris
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over USC
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Kansas
2009 NCAA Regional Final win over Louisville
2009 NCAA National Semifinal win over Connecticut
2009 NCAA National Final loss to North Carolina
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Temple
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Pittsburgh
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Memphis
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Marquette
2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to North Carolina
*all team stats through 3/5
