MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
 Coach: Tom Izzo  |  Record: 22-11

 
Overview:  You have to hand it to Tom Izzo. The guy has never backed down from stiff competition. Michigan State and West Virginia have played a nation's best 16 games against teams with RPI rankings in the top 50, followed by Connecticut with 15. The Spartans are 4-6 against the top 25 and 8-8 against the top 50. This is the time of the year when this program really kicks it into overdrive, as evidenced by a 37-12 record in March since the 1998-99 season.

Possible Difference Maker: Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown and Paul Davis combine to form a triumvirate of scorers that's the envy of every coach in America. All three rank in the top five of the Big Ten in scoring. But the difference maker for Michigan State will be point guard Drew Neitzel. He leads the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.72-to-1) and he's getting better as the season wears on. In MSU's last five regular season games, his ratio was 6-to-1.

On Offense: They execute their set plays that balances both their inside and outside game with Davis inside and Ager and Brown outside. They have traditionally been a very good running team that takes high percentage shots.

On Defense: They are a physical defensive team that hangs its hat on rebounding and toughness.

Strength: A terrific free throw shooting team (77%) with great balance inside and outside makes them a scary postseason team. They are experienced and seem to pick up their game in the NCAA Tournament. If Ager and Brown get hot, they can make a run similar to last year.

Weakness: Only 7 of the 32 games they have played this season have been decided by 5 or fewer points. Their losses have tended to be blowouts, so they have not been good coming from behind. Drew Neitzel is extremely inconsistent and point guard play is so important this time of year.

Key to Success: Their ability to involve Davis and how well Ager and brown play will determine how far they go.

How to beat Them: Pressure Neitzel and take Michigan State out of their offense. You have to rebound with them and match their toughness on both ends. Get them down early in the game.