Spartans Wire crew predicts MSU-Ole Miss NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game
Spartans Wire crew predicts MSU-Ole Miss NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game Check out our predictions for this Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament matchup between the Spartans and Rebels
Michigan State basketball returns to the floor on Friday night with an opportunity to reach the Elite Eight for the first time in six years.
The Spartans will tangle with the Ole Miss Rebels in Atlanta on Friday night, with the winner moving on to the Elite Eight. The winner of this game will take on the winner of No. 1 seed Auburn and No. 5 seed Michigan, who's game will take place shortly after the Spartans and Rebels battle it out.
Michigan State comes into this matchup with a pair of hard fought victories in the opening weekend against No. 15 seed Bryant and No. 10 seed New Mexico. Ole Miss looked rather impressive in the opening weekend with convincing victories over No. 11 seed North Carolina and No. 3 seed Iowa State.
Tip off for this matchup between the Spartans and Rebels is scheduled for 7:09 p.m. ET and will be televised on CBS. Michigan State is a slight favorite in this tilt between two good squads from the Big Ten and SEC.
Will Michigan State be able to contain extend its season for at least one more game reach the Elite Eight? Check out our predictions below:
Robert Bondy
It may be just me, but this matchup gives me the same vibes as the Michigan State-LSU Sweet 16 game in 2019. Not necessarily the same in teams but just the overall feeling and how the bracket has laid out in a way very comparable to that Final Four run for the Spartans. Maybe that's why I have a sneaky suspicion that Michigan State is going to relatively handle the Rebels en route to another NCAA Tournament victory.
The key for this game will again be strong play from the Spartans' guards and wings. I anticipate Michigan State's stiff defense to again be in play and that helps lead the Spartans to a victory over Ole Miss in the Sweet 16.
Prediction: Michigan State 77, Ole Miss 67
Andrew Brewster
As we all know, any game against a Chris Beard team will be a rock fight and a battle, but this MSU team has overcome difficult defenses all year with their transition offense and relentless offensive rebounding and I expect them to keep moving through this tournament.
Prediction: Michigan State 70, Ole Miss 62
Cory Linsner
This is going to be another frustrating, defensive style game against a team that has battle tested. In the end, though, the rebounding struggles for the Rebels will bite them and the Spartans will be able to capitalize.
Prediction: Michigan State 74, Ole Miss 67
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
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