5 Bold Predictions for No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 7 Michigan State

By Jerry Landry

5 Bold Predictions For No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 7 Michigan State

Louisville Cardinals Montrezl Harrell Elite Eight NCAA Tournament — The highest-sum game of the Elite Eight could lead to a zero-sum result. These teams will bash each other, rebounding will become a bloodsport and each sway of suspense will only be quelled by a long-range three. What more could you want? OK, maybe a little more scoring. To see if your other wishes are granted, here are five bold predictions for when MSU takes on Louisville.

5. Branden Dawson Comes Back To Life

Michigan State Spartans Branden Dawson Elite Eight

5. Branden Dawson Comes Back To Life

Michigan State Spartans Branden Dawson Elite Eight — Dawson was silent outside of a few key rebounds and turnaround jumpers down low against the Oklahoma Sooners. Likely paired with Montrezl Harrell, Dawson could be taxed on the defensive end, but I don’t see the senior forward laying two eggs in the same weekend.

4. Michigan State Will Out-Rebound Louisville

Michigan State Rebounding Branden Dawson Elite Eight

4. Michigan State Will Out-Rebound Louisville

Michigan State Rebounding Branden Dawson Elite Eight — Michigan State will just want it more. Montrezl Harrell is a beast, but the sizable Cardinal will have to battle with both Matt Costello and Gavin Schilling in addition to Dawson. Oh yeah, and Harrell will have to emerge from the paint to harass Travis Trice. That’s too much to ask even from Harrell.

3. Terry Rozier Launches 20 Shots

Louisville Cardinals Terry Rozier Elite Eight

3. Terry Rozier Launches 20 Shots

Louisville Cardinals Terry Rozier Elite Eight — Since the dismissal of Chris Jones, Rozier has put up 114 shots and made 44, shooting 38.5 percent over the last eight games. At 18 shots per game, I think that’s asking too much from Rozier, yet that appears to be Louisville’s formula to success, so expect the Cardinals to stick to the plan.

2. Michigan State Shoots Less Than 50 Percent On Free Throws

Tom Izzo Michigan State Spartans Elite Eight

2. Michigan State Shoots Less Than 50 Percent On Free Throws

Tom Izzo Michigan State Spartans Elite Eight — This Spartans team is not nearly as talented as the 2008 Memphis Tigers, but Michigan State is awfully similar from the line. I don’t think the Spartans can turn around this deficiency in under 48 hours, and I fear MSU won’t be able to do better than five-for-10. Unless Louisville only fouls Trice.

1. MSU Moves On To Final Four

Michigan State Spartans Elite Eight Matt Costello Bay City Michigan

1. MSU Moves On To Final Four

Michigan State Spartans Elite Eight Matt Costello Bay City Michigan — I wish both of these teams could advance. I love what both Rick Pitino and Tom Izzo have done with these teams, but Michigan State is just going to beat Louisville right where the Cardinals are trademarked -- effort.

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Michigan State Spartans

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Louisville Cardinals

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