Duke and Michigan State Clash in Game 1 of Champions Classic

Michigan State loses to in the 2022 NCAA Tournament


Michigan State and Duke will meet at the United Center in Chicago at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN.

 

Before the year, this was a Top-5 matchup, but because of a couple of upsets, this matchup has a little less hype.

 

Duke lost to Arizona on Friday, which did not affect the ranking of Jon Sheyer’s Blue Devils too much, staying in the top 10 at number 9.

 

On the other hand, Michigan State suffered a historic loss to James Madison University at home. It was the first home loss in November ever for Tom Izzo.

 

“When you start missing shots, it becomes contagious,” Tom Izzo said.


That could not be more true for this Spartan team so far this season. MSU is shooting 6% from deep this year as a team. Its top shooters, Tre Holloman and Tyson Walker, are making the deep shot at 25% and 14.3%, respectively. No one else has made a shot. They are 2-for-31 to start the year.


This is a team that shot 39.5% from deep last year, which was good enough for third-best in the country. Three players shot over 40% on that Elite Eight team just a year ago.


If Tom Izzo wants to best this Duke team, the Spartans will need to improve that percentage as well as get more guys involved.


Tyson Walker is the only Spartan averaging double figures. Veteran players like A.J. Hoggard and Malik Hall have been underwhelming so far this season.


For the Blue Devils, rebounding was an issue against Arizona; they were outrebounded 45-33. It is hard to win a game when you give up 15 offensive rebounds. Also, it seems like Kyle Filipowski is more comfortable playing power forward, yet Jon Sheyer has not found someone to be the new center.


Mark Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Tyrese Proctor combined to be 10/29 from the field, which should get better tonight.


Sophomore leaders Kyle Filipowski and Jeremy Roach are going to need to step up against the Spartans. If Filipowski can make the deep shot, it could be very hard for Michigan State to combat that (considering they cannot shoot threes).


What to watch for:

 

Michigan State: Can you finally start making three-point shots? Will Malik Hall step up and show why he is a leader on this very experienced team?

Duke: Do not give up 15 offensive rebounds; the Spartans will take advantage of second-chance points. Guard Tyson Walker with your life! He’s a top guard in the entire country, and when he gets going, Sparty becomes one of the best teams in the nation.

 

Prediction: Duke wins 73-70.

 

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