Michigan State - Temple Preview

South- Round One
Michigan State Spartans (5) Vs. Temple Owls (12)
Thursday, March 20 @ 12:30 pm
Betting Line From Bookmaker: Michigan State -7

The 20th ranked Michigan State Spartans (12- 6 Big 10, 25- 8 overall) enter the NCAA Tournament as the fifth seed in the South. Early in the year, there were hopes that this team might be rated higher both nationally and in the tourney. The team looked good until it dropped three of four in February and five or its last six road games. In the Big 10 tourney, they fell in the Semi-Finals to the fifth ranked team nationally, Wisconsin.

The pluses for the Spartans are numerous. They enter the tournament as an experienced club. Team leader and senior guard Drew Neitzel led the Big 10 in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.07). He was ranked seventh in scoring (13.4 PPG). Forward Raymar Morgan, a big, athletic player, was fourth in scoring (15 PPG) and eighth in rebounding (6.3 RPG). Freshman point man, Kalin Lucas, showed sound scoring chops, averaging 9.8 PPG. He also dished off 3.9 APG.

The A-10’s Temple Owls started their season slowly as they struggled in non-conference play. After losing their first three games and going .500 in their first ten, the Owls started to find their rhythm. Temple won its last seven games, including the conference championship contest versus Saint Joseph’s.

For Temple, the play of guards Dionte Christmas (20.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG) and Mark Tyndale (15.9 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 4.3 APG) will be key. This season Tyndale has become less of a run and gun player and more of a playmaker. Up front, Sergio Olmos, who stands at seven-foot even, offers some sound play, while forward Lavoy Allen, a freshman, is a gamer.

This contest could come down to ball control and the ability to play mistake-free. If that’s true, then the edge actually goes to the Owls. Additionally, Temple’s a point or two better from the free throw line. Can this be an upset in the making? Dont count on it with Izzo at the helm.

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