5 Bold Predictions For Duke vs. Michigan State

By Jerry Landry

5 Bold Predictions For Duke vs. Michigan State

Tom Izzo Michigan State Spartans Duke Blue Devils Final Four — It will be big versus small, pedigree versus the paradigm, Coach K versus Tom Izzo. Here we go. Michigan State makes the Final Fours, but has only visited the National Championship in two of the Spartans’ last seven tries. Will this matchup punch history right in the face? Or will Duke continue to improve the face of the Blue Devil program?

5. Travis Trice Will Display Unbelievable Poise

Michigan State Spartans Final Four Travis Trice

5. Travis Trice Will Display Unbelievable Poise

Michigan State Spartans Final Four Travis Trice — Yeah, this doesn’t sound bold, but it’s an important prediction that will come true. Travis Trice will be ice cold, hitting shots from everywhere, not getting too up, not getting too down and being the 60 beats-per-minute pulse of the Spartans. A five point-per-game player just a year ago, look for Trice to be the calm presence among the clammy in Indianapolis.

4. Gavin Schilling Finds Foul Trouble

Michigan State Spartans Duke Blue Devils Final Four Gavin Schilling

4. Gavin Schilling Finds Foul Trouble

Michigan State Spartans Duke Blue Devils Final Four Gavin Schilling — MSU will likely contend with Jahlil Okafor by committee. Okafor will draw Gavin Schilling, Matt Costello and sometimes Branden Dawson. Schilling will struggle to stay disciplined in this matchup, getting into foul trouble early, and without the added help on Okafor, this will ultimately slump the Spartans.

3. Duke Builds A Huge Halftime Lead

Duke Blue Devils basketball Quinn Cook

3. Duke Builds A Huge Halftime Lead

Duke Blue Devils basketball Quinn Cook — Michigan State was lucky to allow the Louisville Cardinals an eight-point lead at halftime and somehow come back. Duke is not Louisville by any stretch of evaluation. The Blue Devils will bury Michigan State early if Sparty doesn’t come to life right away, and I’m afraid it’ll be an insurmountable 10-point deficit after the first 20 minutes.

2. Michigan State Will Have No Answer For Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor Duke Blue Devils basketball Final Four

2. Michigan State Will Have No Answer For Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor Duke Blue Devils basketball Final Four — This obviously depends on if Okafor is willing to put it on the floor, but given the certainty of NBA scouts and the uncertainty of becoming a No. 1 pick, I say Okafor will be playing to impress. Look for Okafor to score 25 and grab 10 boards, possibly collecting five blocks along the way.

1. Duke Goes On To Face Kentucky

Mike Krzyzewski Duke Basketball Final Four Michigan State

1. Duke Goes On To Face Kentucky

Mike Krzyzewski Duke Basketball Final Four Michigan State — Two bold predictions for the free price of one! Kentucky will advance over Wisconsin, and Duke will defeat Michigan State. MSU will hit some threes and Dawson will get a few key put-backs, but it just won’t be enough against an equal coach with better players.

Teams in this article »

Duke Blue Devils

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Michigan State Spartans

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