UConn vs MSU (Sweet 16)

[aceboon]

I was expecting the writer to pick MSU after the write-up

March Madness Sweet 16 set: Picks, matchups and what to watch after wild opening weekend

The Sweet 16 is set after a wild opening weekend of March Madness. Here's a full breakdown of every matchup, with early picks, analysis and predictions.

www.cbssports.com

No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 2​

Tarris Reed Jr. is not on Zach Edey's level, but I wonder if Michigan State could pull out its old game plan from the Edey days for this one. Like Purdue, UConn runs all these dangerous, flowery actions often as a disguise to create leverage for its big man (Reed in this instance) to dominate on the low block without a help defender in the same zip code.

Michigan State might be fine with that. Carson Cooper is one of the best 5-man defenders in college basketball. He's strong, mobile and smart after spending four years in the Michigan State program. The Spartans could switch everything on the perimeter -- usually the best way to handle UConn's intricate offense -- and rely on Cooper to hold up against Reed in a one-on-one tussle.


If Cooper is winning his fair share of battles inside and Michigan State can force UConn into playing late-clock basketball, it's a win. The Huskies cannot beat Michigan State without 3s dropping against a Spartans defense that loads the paint, cuts off driving lanes and sprints back out to contest 3s. The problem? UConn just hasn't shot the basketball all that well in a while. This is a very dangerous 3-point shooting team on paper, but UConn has made double-digit treys just once in the past nine games.

It might need nine or 10 to get on the right side of this one, and it will also need Silas Demary Jr. to play like an All-Big East defender against Jeremy Fears Jr., who can get into the paint at will and could build a tent at the free-throw line against a UConn defense that fouls a ton.

Michigan State will win this game if it plays clean. That's been an issue at times, though. The Spartans have a 17% turnover rate against top-50 teams, and this UConn defense is aggressive, handsy and will try to heat up the supporting cast.


The pick: UConn

 

[Inyatkin]

I was expecting the writer to pick MSU after the write-up

March Madness Sweet 16 set: Picks, matchups and what to watch after wild opening weekend

The Sweet 16 is set after a wild opening weekend of March Madness. Here's a full breakdown of every matchup, with early picks, analysis and predictions.

www.cbssports.com

No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 2​

Tarris Reed Jr. is not on Zach Edey's level, but I wonder if Michigan State could pull out its old game plan from the Edey days for this one. Like Purdue, UConn runs all these dangerous, flowery actions often as a disguise to create leverage for its big man (Reed in this instance) to dominate on the low block without a help defender in the same zip code.

Michigan State might be fine with that. Carson Cooper is one of the best 5-man defenders in college basketball. He's strong, mobile and smart after spending four years in the Michigan State program. The Spartans could switch everything on the perimeter -- usually the best way to handle UConn's intricate offense -- and rely on Cooper to hold up against Reed in a one-on-one tussle.


If Cooper is winning his fair share of battles inside and Michigan State can force UConn into playing late-clock basketball, it's a win. The Huskies cannot beat Michigan State without 3s dropping against a Spartans defense that loads the paint, cuts off driving lanes and sprints back out to contest 3s. The problem? UConn just hasn't shot the basketball all that well in a while. This is a very dangerous 3-point shooting team on paper, but UConn has made double-digit treys just once in the past nine games.

It might need nine or 10 to get on the right side of this one, and it will also need Silas Demary Jr. to play like an All-Big East defender against Jeremy Fears Jr., who can get into the paint at will and could build a tent at the free-throw line against a UConn defense that fouls a ton.

Michigan State will win this game if it plays clean. That's been an issue at times, though. The Spartans have a 17% turnover rate against top-50 teams, and this UConn defense is aggressive, handsy and will try to heat up the supporting cast.


The pick: UConn

He basically says MSU is better at this, this, and this, but UConn will win. OK?

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I was expecting the writer to pick MSU after the write-up

March Madness Sweet 16 set: Picks, matchups and what to watch after wild opening weekend

The Sweet 16 is set after a wild opening weekend of March Madness. Here's a full breakdown of every matchup, with early picks, analysis and predictions.

www.cbssports.com

No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 2​

Tarris Reed Jr. is not on Zach Edey's level, but I wonder if Michigan State could pull out its old game plan from the Edey days for this one. Like Purdue, UConn runs all these dangerous, flowery actions often as a disguise to create leverage for its big man (Reed in this instance) to dominate on the low block without a help defender in the same zip code.

Michigan State might be fine with that. Carson Cooper is one of the best 5-man defenders in college basketball. He's strong, mobile and smart after spending four years in the Michigan State program. The Spartans could switch everything on the perimeter -- usually the best way to handle UConn's intricate offense -- and rely on Cooper to hold up against Reed in a one-on-one tussle.


If Cooper is winning his fair share of battles inside and Michigan State can force UConn into playing late-clock basketball, it's a win. The Huskies cannot beat Michigan State without 3s dropping against a Spartans defense that loads the paint, cuts off driving lanes and sprints back out to contest 3s. The problem? UConn just hasn't shot the basketball all that well in a while. This is a very dangerous 3-point shooting team on paper, but UConn has made double-digit treys just once in the past nine games.

It might need nine or 10 to get on the right side of this one, and it will also need Silas Demary Jr. to play like an All-Big East defender against Jeremy Fears Jr., who can get into the paint at will and could build a tent at the free-throw line against a UConn defense that fouls a ton.

Michigan State will win this game if it plays clean. That's been an issue at times, though. The Spartans have a 17% turnover rate against top-50 teams, and this UConn defense is aggressive, handsy and will try to heat up the supporting cast.


The pick: UConn

Flowery?

 

[imno1]

MSU game would be a great time for a healthy Stewart to return and give us some tough D/Boards for 15 minutes. Slow down Carr and make him work hard for his buckets/rebounds..

With the way Karaban and Ross are playing in this tournament I just can’t see where those 15 minutes come from. Alex ain’t sitting for more than a couple minutes at most unless we are up big. And Jayden deserves at least 22 -25

 

[RuffRuff]

Most UConn Tourney Meets

1. Duke – 5 meetings
2. Kentucky – 4 meetings
3. Florida – 4 meetings
4. Michigan State – 3 meetings

 

[Umami Zen]

With the way Karaban and Ross are playing in this tournament I just can’t see where those 15 minutes come from. Alex ain’t sitting for more than a couple minutes at most unless we are up big. And Jayden deserves at least 22 -25

I hear you on Ross/Karaban. My concern is slowing down Carr and not getting guys like JR/AK in foul trouble trying to do that. Of course, if Stewart is not in game-shape. We have no choice. Jaylin has 5 fouls to give and is closer to Carr in athleticism. I don't see Stewart getting no minutes if ready. MSU has bangers and plays physical ball.

 

[ucp990411]

With the way Karaban and Ross are playing in this tournament I just can’t see where those 15 minutes come from. Alex ain’t sitting for more than a couple minutes at most unless we are up big. And Jayden deserves at least 22 -25

When and if Stewart returns he will not be as effective as some may think. It will be difficult for him to get the rust off and he may be hesitant because of the knee injury

 

[lateralous]

With the way Karaban and Ross are playing in this tournament I just can’t see where those 15 minutes come from. Alex ain’t sitting for more than a couple minutes at most unless we are up big. And Jayden deserves at least 22 -25

Mullins plays more minutes at the 2 opening up the 15 or so minutes for Stewart at the 3 with Ross?

 

[80shusky]

This should be a great game. Will be like looking in a mirror for both teams. Fears is the key.

 

[Waquoit]

I like that they've played these guys before.

 

[uconn_jack]

He basically says MSU is better at this, this, and this, but UConn will win. OK?

I think he's saying that these are all the things MSU needs to do to beat UConn, but in the end, he doesn't think they will.

 

[husky429]

Fears's size should play to our advantage a bit. Malachi will be able to cover him when Silas sits or if they switch off.

We can't get Solo into situations where he's switching onto him. Silas, Malachi, Braylon and Ross should all be able to contain.

 

[IndyLives]

This will be payback for the 2009 FF defeat. The only time UConn has lost a FF game. It was a great game - back and forth most of the way but Uconn couldnt close the gap at the end. UConn missed 12 FTs which really hurt them. Thabeet, Price, Kemba, Stanley Robinson - UConn team was loaded - ended the season 31-5.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

We already got payback, at MSG in 2014. This will be our first neutral site NCAA tournament game against them.

 

[HooperScooper]

He basically says MSU is better at this, this, and this, but UConn will win. OK?

I had the same impression reading this earlier today. He spends 4 paragraphs telling you what UConn isn't good at, what Michigan State is good at, then the last paragraph makes a brief mention of MSU turning the ball over too much. Then the prediction is UConn. Strange write up.

 

[Umami Zen]

A challenge for us vs MSU-They are #1 defensive rebounding team in the country. Have to crash the boards-box out-stay in contact with the opponent- and have a few threes drop in so that there are no defensive boards to collect. Tarris is gonna have to play smart re: fouls like he did vs Furman. Need him on the floor. Will be a war in the blocks.

 

[Marat]

A challenge for us vs MSU-They are #1 defensive rebounding team in the country. Have to crash the boards-box out-stay in contact with the opponent- and have a few threes drop in so that there are no defensive boards to collect. Tarris is gonna have to play smart re: fouls like he did vs Furman. Need him on the floor. Will be a war in the blocks.

Tarris didn't get to play in that preseason game vs MSU, but I remember Reibe held his own against their bigs. But agree that Tarris needs to stay out of foul trouble to help on the boards.

 

[UconnU]

This has to be the most loaded sweet 16 ever, right? The coaches, the programs.

 

[CL82]

We already got payback, at MSG in 2014. This will be our first neutral site NCAA tournament game against them.

The crowd at MSG was insane in 2014. Incredibly loud.

 

[Ha Who]

The crowd at MSG was insane in 2014. Incredibly loud.

The best part was I had purchased two tickets in December for my son‘s birthday

 

[Jay-Bone]

FWIW, the line opened last night at MSU -1.5 and is now UConn -2.5. So a 4 point swing already. Could be public bettors, or sharps, or a mix. But interesting nonetheless

Wow, that is a huge swing on betting sentiment alone. Damn, I wish I got +1.5 in last night.

 

[Tenspro2002]

This has to be the most loaded sweet 16 ever, right? The coaches, the programs.

Gotta be up there. I feel like there have been some Kentucky-UNC or Kansas-Kentucky regional finals that might compete depending on who the other teams were, but you're talking 3 top 10 programs and another top 25, with multiple HOF or HOF-to-be coaches.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Are we talking hockey here or what?

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Are we talking hockey here or what?

Of things go well Thursday and Friday quite a few little green hearts will be broken.

 

[HooperScooper]

Another matchup article, this one from ESPN.

To beat Izzo, UConn will have to show up as the top-notch defensive outfit that held UCLA to just a 39% clip inside the arc in the second round. The Huskies' win over the Bruins served as a reminder that they can be a great defensive team when they want to be.

Men's Sweet 16 preview: Keys to every team advancing in the NCAA tournament

Here's what could decide March Madness regional semifinals, from Michigan-Alabama to Purdue-Texas.

www.espn.com