Spread: Michigan State -7
One of three. That's what Draymond Green is. He joined Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson as the only players in NCAA history to record more than on triple-double in tournament play. I would imagine that Green won't get his third against the Billikens and their 8th ranked defense (according to the Pomeroy rankings). That doesn't mean that Day-Day won't dominate yet another game.
Match-up to watch: Kwamain Mitchell vs Keith Appling. Kwamain keyed the Billiken's second half run against Memphis and finished with 22 points and a pair of three pointers. He's only 5'10'', but is extremely quick. With Branden Dawson out, I think Appling will continue to be the x-factor for the Spartans, especially now that they're going to be playing a team that has some size in their front court. Green may be able to get his points, but I wouldn't count on Derrick Nix to be as dominant as he was in the first round. Appling should be able to use his length, on both sides of the ball, to his advantage all game.
Pick: Michigan State -7
Game: Kansas vs Purdue
Spread: Kansas -7.5
I'm a huge Hoosier fan, but I'm also a huge college basketball fan. And as a college basketball fan, this really is an anti-climactic ending to a great career for Robbie Hummel. The biggest problem the Boilermaker's have tried to battle all season is their lack of a presence down low. Now they have to figure out how to contain one of the best big men in the country in Thomas Robinson. If they double team him, who's going to guard the Jayhawk's seven footer? The only chance Purdue has to make this a game is to use their quickness and athleticism that they have in their much smaller line-up to force Kansas to play small with them. If they are hitting from deep it could be a close game.
Match-up to watch: Ryne Smith / DJ Byrd vs Jayhawk Perimeter Defense. Kansas knows they need to swarm Robbie Hummel, but the keys to this game will be whether or not the other perimeter shooters for Purdue can get going. If they can't, this could wind up being a long game. At the end of the day, it's a tough way to see Hummel go.
Pick: Kansas -7.5
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