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5 bold predictions for the Sweet 16

By Andrew Garda

Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Wichita State Shockers mascot and cheerleaders perform during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Wichita State Shockers mascot and cheerleaders perform during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 22, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Matt Costello (10) and guard Denzel Valentine (45) celebrates after the game against the Virginia Cavaliers in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Matt Costello (10) and guard Denzel Valentine (45) celebrates after the game against the Virginia Cavaliers in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan State will upset Oklahoma

It seems like March is the best time to be a Spartan basketball player, as Tom Izzo’s teams seem to come alive in the tournament.

According to the Chicago Tribune’s Teddy Greenstein, Izzo is 13-1 in the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament, only losing in 2007 to No. 1 seed North Carolina (at Winston-Salem). Greenstein points out that Izzo already has made six Final Fours in his 20 seasons in East Lansing and that his teams have qualified for 18 consecutive NCAA tournaments, going 44-16 in the Big Dance.

As Greenstein puts it, shame on anyone who doubted their ability to take down Virginia in the last round.

Oklahoma is a tough test though. They feature a great perimeter offense with Isaiah Cousins (15 points in two games), Jordan Woodard (24) and Buddy Heild (30) and a very solid duo to play in the paint in Ryan Spangler (15) and TaShawn Thomas (27).

In order to win, Michigan State has to play tough defense. Lucky for them, that’s been the hallmark of their game so far.

The Spartans have held the line against both Virginia and Georgia. The Bulldogs had been shooting 43 percent from the floor this season, but Michigan State allowed just 33 percent of their shots to score.  Meanwhile the Virginia Cavaliers had landed 45 percent of their shots from the field, but Michigan State shut that nonsense down, holding them to just 29 percent of their shots.

This seems like a matter of a hot defensive team playing a stifling type of basketball which should give the Sooners fits.

Of course, the Spartans need to score as well, but that also hasn’t really been an issue for them in the tournament. But since Oklahoma has put up 69 points against Albany and 72 against Dayton, it will come back to defense for Izzo’s team.

Next: NC State beats Louisville again

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