Well, College Basketball fans, round 3 is over and its on to the Sweet 16. In Charlotte, the highlighted teams for the afternoon were Michigan St vs. UVA and Duke vs. SDSU. Both games seemed to have come easy for the victors as they survived and advanced.
Michigan State, 60 Vs. Virginia, 54:
Despite the close score, this game was a struggle for UVA. UVA had a great night Friday with Justin Anderson saying he’s expecting an explosive game for himself… yet he had no presence on the court. UVA’s most vital player seemed to have forgotten he was playing in the NCAA tourney and struggled for a great portion of the game. Anderson had only 8 points and was 2-7 in shooting. Majority of his points came from the free throw line. Virginia made an average of 30% of their shoots but still couldn’t seem to find their spark. They consistently fed Anderson and he just couldn’t get it going. MSU is 5-0 when holding their opponents to 30% shooting.
None of this is to take away from Izzo and his Spartans. Izzo simply out-coached Tony Bennett, but the name to remember is Travis Trice. Trice came out in the first half shooting 5-5 and dominated. Trice had a tournament high of 23 points with 4 shots behind the arc. Trice and MSU proved why beating UVA wasn’t an upset and why the MSU deserved to advance.
Duke, 68 VS. SDSU, 49
Was SDSU aware of a NCAA Tourney appearance Sunday Afternoon? Duke’s third round appearance was a practice run, SDSU contested nothing. Duke’s program is very intimidating. You’re going up against college basketball’s winningest coach with Coach K, one of NCAA’s best center in Jahlil Okafor and a rising star in Quinn Cook, so absolutely, Duke is scary, but wouldn’t the effort show? SDSU lead once in the game, in the beginning, 2-0; Duke controlled the remainder of the game. Okafor showed why he was the league’s best with a great performance of 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting, three rebounds and two blocks. Duke consistently shot for over 50% and held SDSU under 30%. Duke also beat SDSU in the paint with 44 of their 68 points.
SDSU had the looks of giving Duke competition. They’re long and athletic and could’ve easily gave Duke some problems inside but seemed to have shied off. Duke plays Utah in the Sweet Sixteen. Hopefully, Utah will give Duke the competition fans are looking for.