Wow, it's a rematch of last year's national championship game, Michigan State versus Florida (Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN). I can't wait to get back to the Breslin Center, where the fans want to be as renowned as the Cameron Crazies, baby!
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| Florida relies on Teddy Dupay's floor leadership and long-range shooting. |
The Gators are coming off a win over DePaul. Florida played without its long-range jump shooter, Teddy Dupay. Billy Donovan's team must be able to find a way to make the trifecta to have a chance against the Spartans.
Michigan State has the nation's second-longest homecourt win streak (behind only Utah) at 33 games. The Spartans also have a 16-game win streak carrying over from last season.
Will they be able to hold off the Gators? Michigan State plays great defense and has exceptional balance both inside and outside, especially with the post play of veteran Andre Hutson and diaper dandy Zach Randolph.
On the perimeter, Charlie Bell is a defensive stopper who has improved immeasurably offensively.
For the Gators, they look for the return of Dupay from his one-game suspension. He will bring the jump shot that's needed to give balance to the Florida offense. Udonis Haslem vs. Hutson inside should be a special matchup. Remember that in last year's national championship game, Haslem scored 27 points while dominating on the interior.
The key could be Florida's three-point shooting against the perimeter defense of Tom Izzo's Spartans.
Two of the outstanding coaches in the nation and two of the rising-star programs in the land square off. Both are working diligently to be among the elite programs in America.
In the words of Izzo, "We are not there yet among the elites [like Duke, North Carolina, Kansas], but we are working, working and working."
My feeling is that as long as Izzo and Donovan are on their respective sidelines, these programs will post unbelievable numbers over the next decade.