Kansas State Basketball: 3 keys to beating Michigan State in Sweet 16 matchup
By Brian Emory
Find your form from deep
Not exactly the most groundbreaking analysis here, but the Wildcats have to be hitting shots from deep if they are to win this game. The three point shot drives so much of what basketball teams want to do on the offensive end these days, but the Wildcats have only been average from distance this season.
The Wildcats convert on 33.6% of their three point attempts, which ranks 195th in all of college basketball per Kenpom. Meanwhile, the Spartans have connected on 38.7% of their attempts from deep so far this season, the sixth best clip in the country. In a game that is projected to be a one possession affair, it’s not unreasonable at all to expect the winner will be the team that performs better from beyond the arc.
If the Spartans are enjoying even an average night from distance, the Wildcats will likely have to perform slightly better from downtown than their season usual. Nowell is currently 6-14 from range in the NCAA Tournament, a very positive trend for the Wildcats. If Nowell’s hand remains hot the Wildcats should be able to keep up in the three point battle.
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If rotation guards such as Cam Carter or Desi Sills could connect on a few treys that could also be a pivotal boost to Kansas State’s chances. At all costs, the Wildcats simply have to avoid a cold night from deep. Michigan State is a safe bet to hit timely three pointers, so the Wildcats will have to do the same if they want to keep up on the scoreboard.