NCCA March Madness Men's Basketball: Spartans Overcome Sloppy First Minutes, roll over Hurricanes

(Updated) METRO DETROIT, MI — Michigan State University will advance in the NCAA March Madness Men's Basketball Tournament after defeating the University of Miami, 78-58. Nick Ward scored 19 points and Miles Bridges added 18 for the Spartans, who will now square off with Midwest Region top seed Kansas on Sunday.

Early on, it looked as if Michigan State (20-11) would be making a quick exit from the tournament. Sloppy offense, which included numerous turnovers, laded the Spartans in a 12-point deficit about midway through the first half. As soon as MSU tightened up on offense, the game turned in their favor.

"When we didn't the ball over, I thought we executed pretty well," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo told TNT television after the game.

The Spartans led 38-27 at halftime and never looked back. Sunday's game will provide a much bigger challenge, however. Kansas dismantled UC Davis on Friday, 100-62.

(Updated 3:25 p.m.) METRO DETROIT, MI — The University of Michigan shook off a sluggish first half with a barrage of three-pointers to edge Oklahoma State, 92-91, Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis. Derrick Walton, Jr. scored 19 of his game-high 26 in the second half and D.J. Wilson provided the winning margin with a pair of free throws with four seconds remaining in the game.

The Wolverines led 41-40 at halftime and then boosted that margin to as much as seven late in the game. Walton, who tallied six of Michigan’s 16 three-pointers, drained a long jump shot with 54 seconds left to put the Wolverines up 86-79.

But the Cowboys refused to go quietly and cut the lead to 90-88 with four seconds to remaining. Wilson was fouled on the inbound pass and then calmly sank a pair of free throws to put Michigan up by four. Oklahoma State’s Jawun Evans then hit a three-pointer as the clock expired and Michigan escaped with a 92-91 victory.

Walton added 11 assists to go with his 26 points. “Walton has probably been the best player in the country the last two weeks,” said CBS commentator and NBA Hall of Fame player Charles Barkley. “He has been awesome.”

Wilson scored 19 points for U-M and added four blocks. Zak Irvin added 16 points. The Wolverines (25-11) will play the winner of Midwest Region No. 2 seed Louisville and No. 15 Jacksonville State.

(Updated) METRO DETROIT, MI — The University of Michigan will advance in the NCAA March Madness Men's Basketball Tournament after defeating Oklahoma State 92-91 in the first round of the Midwest Regional.

More to come on Patch.

Earlier Friday: When the University of Michigan’s basketball team tips off against Oklahoma State at 12:15 p.m. Friday in Indianapolis, making it to Sunday’s second round of the NCAA tournament may come down to a contest of wills.

The Cowboys, led by guard Jawun Evans, like to play an up-tempo style and actually led the nation in offensive efficiency by scoring lots of easy baskets in transition. The Wolverines, meanwhile, have been an efficient bunch, too, but at a slower, more methodical pace.

Tempo is usually dictated by a team’s point guard. For Michigan (24-11), senior Derrick Walton, Sr. has been outstanding the second half of the season and dominated the recent Big Ten tournament by averaging more than 25 points and eight assists in the final two games. On Oklahoma State’s side, Evans has been equally dominate, averaging about 20 points and seven assists since mid-January.

Michigan comes in as the higher seed at No. 7. The Cowboys are seed No. 10. Watch the game on CBS television.

The Wolverines will not be the only Michigan team in action on Friday. No. 9 Michigan State (19-14) plays the University of Miami (21-11), the Midwest Region’s No. 8 seed, at 9:20 p.m., also in Indianapolis.

It’s the Spartans 20th straight trip to the NCAA tournament. Michigan State is led by freshman forward Miles Bridges, who averaged 16.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. While the Spartans may have an edge up front, the backcourt appears to fall squarely in Miami’s favor.

Combined, the Hurricanes’ Davon Reed, Ja’Quan Newton and Bruce Brown average about 40 points per game and nine assists. That far outpaces Michigan State’s combination of Tum Tum Narin, Alvin Ellis and Josh Langford, who have averaged about 17 points and less than 10 assists per game.

Most media outlets are picking Miami to win. But stranger things have happened, especially under Michigan State University coach Tom Izzo, who boasts a national championship and seven trips to the Final Four in his tenure.

Watch the Spartans at 9:20 p.m. on TNT television. Check back with Patch later today for updates on both of these games.

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