The NCAA Tournament is here! The No. 15 Bryant Bulldogs take on the No. 2 Michigan State Spartans in this first-round matchup. Head coach Tom Izzo is no stranger to March Madness but hasn’t won a championship since 2000. Furthermore, he has been on the receiving end of some upsets in the past decade. Can he avoid another disappointing tournament appearance? Let’s preview the matchup.
Michigan State Vs. Bryant Preview
- Date: Friday, March 21st
- Game Time: 10:00 PM EST
- Venue: Rocket Arena
- How to Watch (TV): TBS
- Michigan State Record: 27-6
- Bryant Record: 23-11
Let’s start with the Michigan State Spartans. Under the tutelage of Izzo, the Spartans are making their incredible 27th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. This team is renowned for its defensive grit, especially when it comes to limiting their opponents’ 3-point shooting. This defensive prowess has been critical, given their own struggles from beyond the arc. But don’t let that fool you into underestimating them; the Spartans compensate with high efficiency in 2-point shots and dominance on the offensive glass that can wear down any opponent. Their approach is methodical, and they wear opponents down.
On the other hand, we’ve got the Bryant Bulldogs, a team known for their breakneck pace and high-energy play. As America East Conference champions, they come into this tournament with something to prove. Under Phil Martelli Jr., the Bulldogs have made significant strides in their offense, improving notably in 3-point shooting and free-throw accuracy. They will be looking to push the tempo, hoping to catch the Spartans off guard and force them into a more frantic game than they’re accustomed to.
Prediction
I think Tom Izzo has one more run in him. Michigan State has improved all year, and their depth will be crucial to victory. While a fast-paced offense can be great, you have to have the legs for it. While Bryant may give the Spartans some trouble early, they could wear down in the second half. Furthermore, they should dominate the glass, making it more difficult for the Bulldogs to get out and run. There is a risk of the Spartans trading twos for threes, but the Bulldogs would have to get red-hot to make it happen.
This team isn’t built around just one player. Izzo can ride the hot hand to victory. This one might be closer than you think but I have the Spartans prevailing in a game they control the tempo from start to finish.
