Final Four: Michigan State vs Butler

Our Final Four preview continues with Michigan State against Butler. Here is a look of how both teams advanced to the Final Four.

Michigan State beats Tennessee. Michigan St. barely escaped against the Volunteers. But the Spartans did enough to advance to the Final Four for the sixth time in the last 12 years.

Michigan State constantly switched their defense from zone to man-to-man. But after the Volunteers hit a couple of shots from downtown, the Spartans stuck with man-to-man defense to smother J.P. Prince and Wayne Chism. Because of injuries to their key players, Michigan St. had a small lineup on the floor for the majority of the game.

You’d think that Tennessee would take full advantage of Michigan State’s smallish lineup inside, but the constant swarming and collapsing of the Spartans countered the Volunteers size advantage. Unable to score some easy baskets inside, Tennessee forced a ton of shots off isos. Meanwhile, Michigan State’s Draymond Green keyed some great entry passes for easy scores. With Green out of the lane, guard Korie Lucious was able to drive inside and create opportunities for his teammates.

Butler upsets Kansas State. It’s pretty obvious that Butler’s defense has been the key in the tournament. The Bulldogs perimeter defense forced Kansas St. into a dismal night of shooting.

They key to beating Kansas St. was shutting down their two primary scorers Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen – and boy did Butler do exactly that. Kansas State’s dynamic duo combined for only 32 points on a 11 for 30 shooting. Against Xavier, Pullen and Clemente combined for 53 points. Even K-State’s Curtis Kelly couldn’t score inside.

Butler’s Gordon Hayward continued his good performance in the tournament and the Bulldogs extended their winning streak to 24 games.

Butler vs Michigan State keys to the game

• Defense will dictate who wins the game. Butler has great offense, but it is generated by aggressive defense on the other end of the floor.
• Michigan State’s Durrell Summers needs to explode for Michigan St. to have a chance at winning.
• Gordon Hayward will wreck havoc on the Spartans small lineup.

Butler will extend their winning streak to 25 games.

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