Marquette - Michigan State Preview

Marquette (8) Vs. Michigan State (9)
Thursday, 3/15 @ 7:20
Betting Line From Bookmaker: Michigan State -2

The Marquette Golden Eagles (24- 9, 10- 6 Big East) finished fifth in the Big East, 3 games behind Georgetown and ranked 20th in the nation. The Michigan State Spartans (22- 11, 8-8 Big 10) were seventh in their conference, which includes #1 Ohio State and #7 Wisconsin.

Marquette relies heavily on its guards. Three sophomore standouts—Dominic James (14.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.0 APG), Jerel McNeal (14.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.8 APG) and Wesley Matthews (12.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.2 APG)—are essential to this team’s success. McNeal, due to injury, is doubtful to play; if he doesn’t play the Golden Eagles can still win, especially if junior forward Ousmane Barro (8.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG) can play his game.

When the Spartans control the boards through the play of sophomore center Goran Suton (9.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.4 APG) and freshman forward Raymar Morgan (11.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG) and move the ball via guards Drew Neitzel (18.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.3 APG) and Travis Walton (6.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 5.5 APG), they can beat top teams. Michigan State has won against Wisconsin and Texas and lost on the road by two points to Ohio State and Wisconsin. Coach Izzo knows how to get his team to step-up.

Marquette has basket loads of talent but the team can lose focus on the court and when they do they lose games. Neitzel often carries the Spartans but can’t in the tournament if they’re going to go deep.

Keep getting updated tournament coverage on our 2007 march madness page. Including tourney brackets and live college basketball odds.