After a thrilling victory over Duke, No. 2 seed Michigan State looks to advance to its first national championship game since 2009. To get there, it will have to get past No. 3 seed, and West Regional Champion, Texas Tech.
Texas Tech has run through its competition, winning by an average margin of 15 points, the best mark in the tournament. The Red Raiders defense has been suffocating and have been bringing out the worst in opposing offenses. In its 75-69 win over Gonzaga in the Elite Eight, it held the Zags to its third lowest scoring total of the season. In the Sweet 16, Michigan only scored 44 points, its lowest total of the year. In the second round, Buffalo only scored 58 points, its lowest of the season. The point is made, this defense has been elite all season and is now playing its best ball at the most important time.
No. 2 seed Michigan State defeated No. 1 seed Duke 68-67 in the East Regional semifinals. Cassius Winston recorded 20 points and 10 assists. Xavier Tillman added 19 points, tying a career-high. The Spartans should have the edge in rebounding over Texas Tech. The Spartans have outrebounded its opponents by 8.9 rebounds per game this season, ranked fifth in the nation. Texas Tech has been outrebounded in three of its four tournament games.
The Spartans will need a huge effort from Winston if they hope to advance while the Red Raiders will lean on potential lottery pick Jarrett Culver to carry the load. The big man is averaging 18.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists during his breakout sophomore campaign.
This game has all the makings of an instant classic given the contrasting styles of play, and we can't wait to see how it plays out. So do our experts see earning a bid to the championship game on Monday? Check out our picks and viewing information below.
Viewing information
- When: Saturday, 8:49 p.m. ET
- Where: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis
- TV: CBS
- Live stream: March Madness Live and fuboTV (try for free)
Predictions, picks
No. 2 Michigan State (-3.5) vs. No. 3 Texas Tech -- 8:49 p.m. on CBS: Michigan State is coming off of a one-point win over Duke in the Elite Eight in which it forced 17 turnovers. This is a matchup of two elite defenses. Texas Tech and Michigan State are both ranked in the top-three of defensive field goal percentage. Who's offense will be able to create better shots, Cassius Winston and the Spartans or Jarrett Culver and the Red Raiders? Pick: Texas Tech +3.5
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