V-Cast: countdown to Michigan State's Elite Eight match-up with Auburn
ATLANTA – Michigan State (30-6) is seeking to advance to its ninth Final Four under Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo. To get there, the Spartans need to get past No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament in Auburn at State Farm Arena.
After interviews on Saturday, SpartanMag staffers Jim Comparoni and Paul Konyndyk checked from courtside with the latest V-Cast.
V-CAST TOPICS
Going Big: After three straight NCAA Tournament games playing with a small lineup, Michigan State will have an opportunity to return to playing with a bigger lineup with Szymon Zapala at the five and Jaxon Kohler at the four. Zapala did not play against Ole Miss in the Sweet 16, but the 7-footer will be counted upon to play a bigger role against the big frontline of Johni Broom and Dylan Cardwell. Michigan State will need everything it can get from Zapala, Carson Cooper, and Jaxon Kohler on Sunday.
Backcourt: Michigan State guards played a strong game in a Sweet 16 match-up against Ole Miss. Now, the Spartans will face another dangerous backcourt in Denver Jones, Miles Kelly, and Chad Baker-Mazara. Will Michigan State’s backcourt of Jase Richardson, Jeremy Fears, Jaden Akins, and Tre Holloman be up to the task of taking on one of the best backcourts in the SEC?
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Transition basketball: Michigan State got just three points in transition against its Sweet 16 win over Ole Miss. In Sunday’s game, the Spartans will be playing an Auburn team that wouldn’t mind running up and down the floor with Michigan State. One of the keys for the Spartans on Sunday will be to get production in transition without turning the ball over. The Wolverines made the mistake of trying to run with Auburn in their Sweet 16 match-up. The Wolverines wore themselves out trying to play at a pace that favored Auburn. If the Spartans do get in a track meet with Auburn, the Spartans will need to avoid live ball turnovers that can be converted into easy scoring chances.
Will Spartans be more prepared than Auburn: With the way Michigan State prepares for each of its opponents going into the weekend, the Spartans should have an advantage in their depth of knowledge ahead of Sunday’s game. It remains to be seen, however, if an advantage in preparation will give Michigan State the edge it needs to knock off the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
