Hoping to make a strong push to the 2014 National Championship Game despite a somewhat surprising seed, the Michigan State Spartans begin their quest to a title against the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens. Despite winning the 2014 Big Ten Championship, head coach Tom Izzo and the Spartans were only placed in the Field of 68 as the No. 4 seed in the East Region. The 59-year-old head coach has complete confidence in his team's ability but while many fans of the sport have the Spartans listed as favorites in spite of the low seeding, Izzo -- who led MSU to the 2000 National Championship -- doesn't want his players to get involved with all the attention, even if it is highly positive.
“We're not back yet,” Izzo said recently. “There's still so many inconsistencies when you look at the film and we have to get more out of our bigs. We have so much growth yet, and we have to do it in a quick period of time. I'm ecstatic that people think we're going to be good but that's hard. It's hard for an 18-, 19-, 20-year-old to handle. Overall, I think our health is great. I think our conditioning is pretty good. I don't see any issues with our health. That won't be able to be an excuse. I used that one for two months.”
While the Spartans (26-8) will be viewed as favorites in their Second Round match-up against the Fightin' Blue Hens (25-9), leading scorers Gary Harris (17.1ppg, 42 percent FG) and Adreian Payne (15.8ppg, 51.2 percent FG) will have their work cut out for them against a Delaware team that ranks among the Top 25 in the nation in points per game. The Hens average just under 80 points per contest but when the tremendous senior duo of guards Devon Saddler (19.7ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.6apg) and Davon Usher (19.4ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.8apg) is in full-gear, the East's No. 13 seed can be as dangerous as any team in the field.
Winners in 19 of their last 21 games, the 2014 CAA champs hold the ability to be competitive but taking down a seasoned Michigan State team led by a legendary head coach will not be easy.
NCAA Tournament – Michigan St. vs. Delaware: DATE, TIME & VIEWING INFO
DATE: Thursday, March 20
TIME: 4:40 p.m., ET
LOCATION: Spokane, Washington
TV COVERAGE: TNT
LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE
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