Michigan State Basketball: Keys for Spartans to beat Duke in Elite 8

Role Players Stepping Up

The Spartans overall have not had amazing offensive production from Winston, McQuaid, Goins, and Ward against Minnesota and LSU. None of them were the leading scorer the last two games. Against Minnesota, Xavier Tillman was the leading scorer with 14 points. In the Sweet Sixteen game versus LSU, Henry led all scorers with 20 points.

More importantly is the surprises from the role players. Without even referencing true freshmen’s Marcus Bingham Jr.made three pointer versus Minnesota, junior walk on Connor George’s two free throws versus Bradley, or even freshmen walk on and son of Nebraska’s new head coach Jack Hoiberg two points versus the Gophers, the Spartans have had role players step up. The Spartans need an unsung hero to step up against the Blue Devils.

True freshmen’s Gabe Brown’s 15 points in 16 minutes of play on four for six three-point shooting greatly helped Michigan State beat LSU. The Spartans will need a role player or two like Brown to help propel Michigan State to victory over Duke. Even going back to true freshmen’s Foster Loyer’s 14 points against Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament on four for five shooting from three-point land greatly help the Spartans win.

In order to beat a team like Duke, an unexpected player may be needed to help Michigan State advance to the Final Four. Will it be Brown or Foster? Maybe Thomas Kithier or Bingham? We shall see Sunday afternoon when the Spartans play Duke in Washington D.C. in the Elite 8.