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Written by Mark
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Monday, 29 March 2010 17:51 |
Michigan State vs Butler 4/3/10
The Spartans and the surprising Bulldogs battle for a spot in the championship.
College Basketball 4/3/10
Butler Bulldogs (32-4) (Horizon)-Michigan State Spartans (28-8) (Big 10)
By Mark-Saturday, April 3rd 2010 6:05 PM EST
Line-Butler -1.5
Butler knocked off Kansas State 63-56 to continue their magical run to the Final 4. The pace was probably quicker than the score indicates which was supposed to favor KSU but their big short coming was on the back boards where the supposedly more physical Wildcats were dominated on the glass, 41-29. The Wildcats never found the range, be it a layup, three or free throw. Their 39% shooting reflects a team shooting at a basket with a lid on it but credit Butler with their glove like defense that made KSU work just to get a look. The Bulldogs had no such issues finding the range as they connected at a 46% pace for the game. They did have some ball protection issues with 20 turnovers which led to a late K State rally and short lived lead but for the vast majority of the game Butler looked like the more poised and fundamentaly sound team. Gordon Hayward led the the Butler charge with game highs of 22 points and nine rebounds followed by Shelvin Mack with 16 points and seven pulls.
Michigan State edged Tennessee 70-69 to keep their hopes of a second straight championship appearance alive. The Volunteers had breakdowns at the end of the first half when the Spartans scored off an inbounds play with less than two seconds left in the half. They also allowed Raymar Morgan position for a layup with under two seconds left before sending him to the line. Morgan made the first and purposely missed the second and Tennessee's desperation heave at the buzzer had no chance. This game was decided by the basics; execution at critical junctures and making free throws. The Spartans did both at the end of both half's and were 16 of 21 from the line. The Volunteers were 14 of 21 from the stripe and in a game decided by the slimmest of margins the small things make a big difference. Durrell Summers scored a game high 21 points on four of 6 from distance while also ripping down ten rebounds. Michigan State continues to rely on their core of top seven players and that's not going to change with Kalin Lucas out.
Butler offense: 70 ppg 13 apg 32 rpg 45%
Butler defense: 60 ppg 11 apg 30 rpg 42%
Michigan State offense: 72 ppg 17 apg 39 rpg 47%
Michigan State defense: 64 ppg 13 apg 30 rpg 41%
Michigan State refuses to stumble without Lucas in the lineup and few teams could compete at this level missing their playmaker and leading scorer. Butler continues to surprise but the fact is this team is fundamentally sound and are tremendous defenders. The Spartans are just as stingy defensively and I believe by week's end they have a game plan in place and it will be executed perfectly come game time.
Mark's Pick: Michigan State +1.5
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