5 Bold Predictions For No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 7 Michigan State

By Jerry Landry

5 Bold Predictions For No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 7 Michigan State

Oklahoma Sooners basketball Dayton Flyers NCAA Tournament Spartans — Is Travis Trice 2015’s Shabazz Napier? So far, it sure looks like it. It’s tough to say whether Price will remain a solid third of the Michigan State Spartans' offense, but it is safe to say that the Oklahoma Sooners will have to contain the senior spark plug. Here are five other big storylines that’ll emerge when the Sooners tangle with the Spartans.

5. Michigan State Starts Hot Again

Sparty mascot NCAA Tournament Michigan State basketball

5. Michigan State Starts Hot Again

Sparty mascot NCAA Tournament Michigan State basketball — March will someday become Tom Izzo Appreciation Month. Whether it's a No. 7 seed, a No. 1 seed, or any other spot in the bracket, the Spartans come to play and hit the ground running. Expect Michigan State to come out of the gate as if it were already crunch time.

4. Travis Trice Hits First Five Shots

Travis Trice Michigan State Spartans guard March Madness

4. Travis Trice Hits First Five Shots

Travis Trice Michigan State Spartans guard March Madness — Trice has help, but lately it looks like the senior guard needs little of it. The first one out on the break, and the greatest threat from out deep, look for Trice to get the Spartans rolling early by knocking down his first five 18-23 footers.

3. Oklahoma Outscores Michigan State In The Paint

Oklahoma Sooners Down Low NCAA Tournament Dayton Flyers

3. Oklahoma Outscores Michigan State In The Paint

Oklahoma Sooners Down Low NCAA Tournament Dayton Flyers — Pull Branden Dawson out to the perimeter, and then take it to Matt Costello -- this is the simplest way to beat the Spartans. Buddy Hield can kick and drive with the best of them, but Oklahoma must be prepared for when MSU crashes the glass.

2. Buddy Hield Goes For 20 Points

Oklahoma Sooners Buddy Hield NCAA Tournament Michigan State Spartans Sweet 16

2. Buddy Hield Goes For 20 Points

Oklahoma Sooners Buddy Hield NCAA Tournament Michigan State Spartans Sweet 16 — This is do-or-die for the Big 12 player of the year. Not only is it big for Hield and the Sooners, but it’s huge for the Big 12, a conference that has been eviscerated in March. Hield will have to put forward another big effort against the Spartans on Friday.

1. Spartans Advance To Elite Eight

Michigan State Spartans Valentine Costello NCAA Tournament

1. Spartans Advance To Elite Eight

Michigan State Spartans Valentine Costello NCAA Tournament — Dawson, Trice and Denzel Valentine are rolling right now. MSU’s big three is in sync, and this triple-threat is more familiar with each other than any other unit in the country. The Spartans will separate through transition baskets and look for Valentine to step up and hit some big buckets.

Comment below with your bold predictions for this game!

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Oklahoma Sooners

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Michigan State Spartans

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