Final Four Preview

Michigan St. Spartans vs. Butler Buldogs

Michigan St. Spartans and Butler Buldogs meet in the Final Four and compete to advance in the National Championship. This is Butler’s first Final Four and 8th for the Spartans. Last year, Michigan St. advanced to the National Championship, will they this season? Returning players of Michigan St. will definitely help the team but the Buldogs are mighty and they got good players.

The Spartans scored 72.6 points per game and allowed opponents to score 63.7 points per game; the Buldogs scored 70.1 points per game and allowed opponents to score 60 points per game. Butler is ranked in 12th place for RPI rank; Michigan St., 28th place.

Probable starters of Michigan St. Spartans are Korie Lucious, Durrel Summers, Delvon Roe, Derrick Nix, and Raymar Morgan. Matt Howard, Gordon Hayward, Willie Veasley, Shelvin Mack, Ronald Nored are likely to start this game. Butler’s guards are much stronger than Spartans’ without Kalin Lucas. Buldogs’ Forwards look somewhat stronger than the forwards of the Spartans.

Michigan St.

Kalin Lucas is not expected to play in the Final Four due to ruptured Achilles. Michigan State lost a player who can score, rebound, makes play, control the game. Durrell Summers is replacing Kalin Lucas but opponents can score much easier when Kalin Lucas is not playing. Durrell Summers allows opponents to score a lot of easy points and he caused 2 turnovers per assists. Spartans have caused 13.8 turnovers per game and their free throw percentage is 78.8%. Draymond Green rebounded 7.8 per game and Raymar Morgan rebounded 6.2 per game. However, without their leading guard, they will suffer and free throws might cause a game. Getting many offensive rebounds and scoring second chance points would be helpful for Michigan St.

Butler

Butler has 4 players who scored over 10 points per game: Gordon Hayward, Shelvin Mack, Matt Howard, Willie Veasley. Gordon Hayward rebounded 8.2 per game but Butler rebounded only 32.6 per game while Michigan St. rebounded 38.6 per game. In addition, Butler is a much better free throw shooting then Butler is. It will make a significant difference in the clutch moments especially in close game. Butler’s turnover margin is 2.4 better than Michigan State’s and Michigan St. without Kalin Lucas will cause even more turnovers. Michigan St. must effectively defend Gordon Hayward in order to win this game. Because Butler is not a great three point shooting team, Michigan St. must give up perimeter defense and defend near-basket.

Butler is going to the National Championship! If Kalin Lucas wasn’t injured, if Dureell Summers could successfully replace Kalin Lucas, then Michigan might have a chance but either of that won’t happen.

Photos via ESPN