Duke vs Michigan State: 2022 NCAA Tournament game preview, TV schedule
Duke takes on Michigan State with a ton on the line. Can Tom Izzo be the one to send Coach K into retirement or can the Blue Devils move onto the Sweet 16?
TV schedule: Sunday, March 20th, 5:15 pm ET. CBS
Arena: Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina
After Saint Peter’s massive upset over Kentucky, expecting a 2 seed to easily beat a 15 in the NCAA Tournament wasn’t a given. But Duke made sure not to have any problems against Cal State Fullerton in the Round of 64, winning 78-61 after leading by as much as 20 points.
The Blue Devils had a double-digit lead for 95% of the game and outside of a 5-minute stretch in the first half, they had complete control of the Titans. All five starters were in double figures scoring, led by 17 points and 10 rebounds from Paolo Banchero. But it was Mark Williams who had the best statistical game, going for 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and five blocks.
Duke’s Round of 32 opponent had a much tougher first game, as Michigan State went down to the wire against No. 10 seed Davidson Friday night. The Spartans had several players who struggled in the back-and-forth affair but it was the perfect time for Joey Hauser to have his best performance in college, going for 27 points and eight rebounds on 9/12 shooting, including 4/6 from three-point range.
His huge game lifted Michigan State to another NCAA Tournament matchup with Duke, with the last one coming a few years ago in the Elite 8. In 2019, the team with Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish lost in a one-point nailbiter to Cassius Winston and the Spartans in a surprising loss.
It would be a surprise this year too, considering that the Blue Devils are a national title contender and Michigan State has been fairly up and down. But they have the athletes and depth to match up with the No. 2 seed. The question here is whether the health of guards AJ Hoggard and Tyson Walker will hold up in this game. Hoggard had 14 points, while Walker played 25 minutes off the bench.
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The x’s and o’s matchup between Coach K and Coach Izzo is going to be great and the opportunity to get a historic win like this is in the Spartans’ grabs. But I think Banchero and Williams will be the difference inside in what should be a hard-fought victory.
Prediction: Duke 74, Michigan State 70