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Michigan State vs Texas Tech: Key storylines in Final Four matchup

By Tristan Freeman

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: The Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate with the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional trophy after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: The Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate with the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional trophy after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 05: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during practice prior to the 2019 NCAA men’s Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 05: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during practice prior to the 2019 NCAA men’s Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Michigan State and Texas Tech will be a great Final Four matchup. What are the top storylines heading into the game?

In the second Final Four matchup this Saturday, Michigan State will take on Texas Tech with a spot in the national title game on the line. Both teams are coming into this battle coming off of an upset in the Elite Eight last weekend.

Texas Tech (30-6) defeating the top seed in the West Region in Gonzaga, 75-69. Jarrett Culver led the way with 19 points, followed by Matt Mooney with 17. Six different Red Raiders hit a three-pointer in the win while forcing 15 Bulldogs turnovers.

Michigan State (32-6) pulled off arguably the biggest upset in the NCAA Tournament, beating the top seed in the East Region Duke 68-67. Cassius Winston was the star of the game with 20 points and 10 assists. The key for the Spartans getting the victory was winning the turnover battle, six to the Blue Devils’ 17 total.

When it comes to participating in Final Fours, there’s a stark difference between the two programs. This is national semifinal No. 10 for the Spartans, with head coach Tom Izzo in charge of most of them. As for the Red Raiders, this is the first-ever for their program after making the Elite Eight for the first time in school history just last year. Few programs have made such a meteoric rise in such a short time as Texas Tech has under Chris Beard.

Besides the number of Final Fours, there are other storylines involved in this game. Here are three to look at before the tip-off.

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