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NCAA Tournament 2019: Buy or sell Michigan State, Michigan, Tennessee and Kentucky?

By Adam Childs

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 16: Ashton Hagans #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats is defended by Lamonte Turner #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena on February 16, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 16: Ashton Hagans #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats is defended by Lamonte Turner #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena on February 16, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 16: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans meets with head coach Tom Izzo in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 16: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans meets with head coach Tom Izzo in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Michigan State Spartans – BUY (until Duke)

Michigan State won the Big Ten regular season championship and then the tournament championship by beating Michigan three times in the last three weeks. By winning those titles the Spartans thought they did enough to get a number one seed and they were probably right, but they also have themselves to blame for missing out. They lost twice to Indiana during the regular season and that is what probably kept them from being on the top line.

Instead of getting a number one seed the Spartans ended up in the same region and many wanted to say how could they get robbed like that. They went from a possible number one seed to being in the same region with the number one overall seed. But if you look closer at the brackets they actually got a great draw. Yes Duke will probably waiting in the Elite Eight, but to get there it is relatively easy for the Spartans.

Assuming the Spartans avoid a second straight first round upset as a number two seed, Michigan State would either get a Minnesota team they already beat this year or a rematch with a Louisville team they lost to in overtime. The Spartans are playing much better than they did when the played the Cardinals earlier and would definitely be a favorite in that game.

If they get to the Sweet 16 they may run into LSU, but while they have looked good at times, they are in the midst of a scandal are without their coach. Michigan State is a bad matchup for the Tigers and would be a huge underdog also. Barring the Spartans getting really cold, they should make it to the Elite Eight and that is where Duke would most likely be waiting.

Yes I say buy the Spartans, but this is where you should sell them. But then again on paper you would probably sell any team against Duke. Zion Williamson is a tough guard for anyone and I am not sure the Spartans have anyone that can stop him. Not that anyone really does. What we do know is Tom Izzo will have a plan to stop him and never count out the Spartans. It should be a great game. So bet on the Spartans to get to the Elite Eight and to give Duke a great game, but sell them for the Final Four.

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