Connor Earegood, James Hawkins, John Niyo and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News predict the outcome of Friday’s Michigan State vs. UConn NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game at the Capital One Arena in Washington (9:45 p.m., CBS).
Connor Earegood: As much as Michigan State learned from an October exhibition against UConn, this version of the Huskies is unfamiliar. The Spartans haven’t seen Tarris Reed Jr. since he was a doughy underclassman at then-helpless Michigan. The guard rotation is complete with Silas Demary Jr. back at the point. This one, each side expects, will be a slobber-knocker. The way Jeremy Fears Jr. and the core four starters are playing should be encouraging for Michigan State, but it needs a lot out of Jordan Scott and Cam Ward to win this game. In front of a hometown crowd, the freshmen should be up to the task. The key will be for Jaxon Kohler to wage war on Reed, and the guards to hit some shots. Pick: Michigan State 64-62
James Hawkins: The Spartans and Huskies both defend and rebound at a high level, so maximizing possessions is going to be paramount in this one. Former Michigan big man Tarris Reed Jr. is a load in the paint, and UConn is a different team when he’s a dominant presence in the post. If Tom Izzo can find a way to create problems for Reed and if MSU can hit enough 3s to extend UConn’s defense and open driving lanes for Jeremy Fears Jr., there’s a path for the Spartans to prevail. Pick: Michigan State, 72-70
John Niyo: Michigan State has been flying under the radar, which is just fine for Tom Izzo and his team. And drawing UConn — only a year removed from back-to-back national titles — probably plays into that here, even if some of the efficiency metrics have the Spartans pegged as a slight favorite in this Sweet 16 matchup. If they keep knocking down shots (32-of-69 from 3 over their last three games), they absolutely can keep playing. I think Michigan State can handle Tarris Reed in the post and Dan Hurley’s team hasn’t shot it all that well the last month. They also foul too much, and Jeremy Fears Jr. could have a field day getting to the line. But the way Alex Karaban played last week, I’m guessing he’ll end up being the difference-maker here. Pick: UConn, 75-71
Bob Wojnowski: Tom Izzo and Dan Hurley preach the same principles and their teams play the same way — defend and rebound like crazy. The Huskies have a couple bangers in Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr., the former Michigan player who had 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman. Connecticut looked invincible much of the season before struggling down the stretch, but now has point guard Silas Demary Jr. back from injury. The Spartans go as Jeremy Fears Jr. goes, but the key will be whether MSU big men Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler can at least neutralize the Huskies. No small task. Pick: UConn, 70-65
NCAA Tournament
NO. 3 MICHIGAN STATE VS. NO. 3 UCONN
What: Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament game
When: Friday, 9:45 p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington
TV: CBS
Records: Michigan State 27-7, UConn 31-5
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan State vs. UConn NCAA Tournament predictions
Reporting by The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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