Harvard vs. Michigan State Breakdown & Prediction

No. 12 Harvard vs. No. 4 Michigan State

Time: 8:40PM ET

Venue: Spokane Arena

TV: TNT

Records: Harvard 27-4; Michigan State 27-8

Harvard stat leaders: Points – Wesley Saunders (13.9 ppg); Rebounds – Steve Moundou-Missi (5.8 rpg); Assists – Siyani Chambers (4.6 apg); Steals – Saunders (1.7 spg).

Michigan State stat leaders: Points – Garry Harris (16.9 ppg); Rebounds – Branden Dawson (8.2 rpg); Assists – Keith Appling (4.7 apg); Steals – Harris (1.9 spg).

Current Streaks: Harvard W9, Michigan State W4

Point Spread: Michigan State -7

Prediction: Harvard showed a lot of athleticism in its win over Cincinnati and the Crimson bring a strong defense into this game. They give up just 60.4 points and allow the 17^th fewest rebounds in the country. Harvard will certainly play disciplined basketball, but the Crimson don’t have the athletes to compete with the Spartans. Michigan State continued to flourish offensively against Delaware. The defense could have put up a better effort, but the Spartans don’t need a lockdown defense to win this game. Michigan State is just playing at another level right now. Harvard is a great story and the Crimson will put up a fight, but the Spartans will eventually just be too much for them. Michigan State 74, Harvard 64

Texas vs. Michigan Breakdown & Prediction

No. 7 Texas vs. No. 2 Michigan

Time: 5:15PM ET

Venue: BMO Harris Bradley Center

TV: CBS

Records: Texas 24-10; Michigan 26-8

Texas stat leaders: Points – Jonathan Holmes (13.0 ppg); Rebounds – Cameron Ridley (8.1 rpg); Assists – Isaiah Taylor (3.9 apg); Steals – Demarcus Holland (1.2 spg).

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Nik Stauskas (17.4 ppg); Rebounds – Jordan Morgan (4.8 rpg); Assists – Stauskas (3.2 apg); Steals – Caris LeVert (1.1 spg).

Current Streaks: Texas W1, Michigan W1

Point Spread: Michigan -5

Prediction: Michigan faces a tough matchup today in a sense that Texas has some size to work with. The Longhorns are 4^th nationally in rebounding, averaging 41.7 per game. Texas will likely look to hammer the glass and try and attack from the inside. The Longhorns aren’t a great shooting team from the outside and the defense is suspect, so Michigan will have its chances to score. The Wolverines will need their shooting shoes on today. Second chance opportunities will be limited and Texas is going to score in the paint. If Michigan is going to win, it is going to have to shoot well from the perimeter and simply outscore the Longhorns. I do think Michigan can do that and I think the Wolverines ultimately will do that. Michigan 77, Texas 72

Wofford vs. Michigan Breakdown & Prediction

No. 15 Wofford vs. No. 2 Michigan

Time: 7:10PM ET

Venue: BMO Harris Bradley Center

TV: CBS

Records: Wofford 20-12; Michigan 25-8

Wofford stat leaders: Points – Karl Cochran (15.7 ppg); Rebounds – Lee Skinner (8.6 rpg); Assists – Cochran (3.0 apg); Steals – Cochran (1.7 spg).

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Nik Stauskas (17.5 ppg); Rebounds – Jordan Morgan (4.7 rpg); Assists – Stauskas (3.3 apg); Steals – Caris LeVert (1.2 spg).

Current Streaks: Wofford W3, Michigan L1

Point Spread: Michigan -15

Prediction: Michigan has found a way to be under the radar as a No. 2 seed in this tournament. The Wolverines can make a statement with a solid showing today against an outmatched Wofford team. Wofford is strong defensively and weak offensively, which may work in the Southern Conference, but won’t work against the Wolverines’ arsenal of shooters. Even if Michigan goes cold from the floor, it should be able to win handily with its athleticism. If Michigan comes into the tournament shooting well and putting forth a solid defensive effort, the Wolverines will be hard to beat. Don’t look for the Terriers to have much shot in this one. Michigan 73, Wofford 57