LSU vs. Michigan State: 2019 NCAA Tournament game preview, TV schedule
LSU and Michigan State have each faced adversity heading into this Sweet 16 battle. Who’ll come out on top to keep their season alive?
TV schedule: Friday, March 28, 7:09 pm ET. CBS
Arena: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
It’s been a bumpy ride for LSU (28-6), dealing with a new coach in Tony Benford after Will Wade was set aside due to pending investigations about improper recruiting. It wasn’t easy, nearly giving up a big lead late against Yale in the first round before fighting tooth and nail with Maryland in the Round of 32.
The Tigers prevailed 69-67 thanks to a game-winning layup by star guard Tremont Waters, who finished with 12 points and five assists in the game. Skylar Mays led all scorers with 16 in the game, including a clutch three-pointer to set up Waters’ heroics seconds later. It wasn’t a perfect game by LSU but it was good enough to beat the Terrapins.
The Tigers will have to play better against a superior opponent from the Big Ten in Michigan State (30-6), who after beating Bradley earlier, handled Minnesota by 20 points in the Round of 32. It was a balanced scoring effort from the Spartans, with six players putting up between 9-14 points. The offense really wasn’t needed, with the Golden Gophers being held to 31% from the field and 2/22 from three-point range. If it wasn’t for the 20 turnovers, Michigan State would’ve won by 30+.
The premier matchup in this game is at the point guard position between Tremont Waters of LSU and Cassius Winston of Michigan State. Both teams rely heavily on these players to not only facilitate their respective offenses but put the ball in the baskets themselves. Whoever does that the best in this game will give their team an edge. An under the radar battle to watch will be down low with LSU’s Naz Reid and Kenny Goins and Xavier Tillman of the Spartans.
Next. Ranking the Sweet 16 teams. dark
Michigan State has dealt with injuries but still has enough leftover to make a Final Four run. More importantly, the Spartans have Tom Izzo, who’ll have the edge against an interim in Benford with the stakes getting higher as the tournament goes on.