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[LIVE]Michigan State vs. Bradley Live Stream — March Madness 2019

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Published on Mar 21, 2019

Bradley drew one of the toughest first-round matchups in its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2006.

The 15th-seeded Braves (20-14) will need to replicate the magic of that Sweet 16 run to get past Michigan State on Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa. The second-seeded Spartans (28-6) present a nightmarish matchup with depth, size, experience and swagger after winning the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles.

Watch LIVE Now: https://247itv.info/ncaa-tournament/

Watch LIVE Now: https://247itv.info/ncaa-tournament/

Point guard Cassius Winston (18.9 points, 7.6 assists per game), the Big Ten player of the year, is the latest in a long line of Spartans leaders who can take over a game. Injuries have plagued Michigan State this season. Joshua Langford, who averaged 15 points, was lost for the season, and Nick Ward returned in the Big Ten Tournament after missing five games. The Spartans have weathered the injuries with quality depth and multiple scoring options. Reserve guard Foster Loyer hit four 3-pointers to help beat Ohio State in the Big Ten quarterfinals. Matt McQuaid hit seven 3-pointers to help beat Michigan in the championship game.
Cassius Winston
Michigan State guard Cassius Winston is the Big Ten player of the year. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Bradley can hit 3-pointers, too, making 36.6 percent on the season. Guard Darrell Brown, the Braves’ leading scorer with 14.7 points per game, shoots 43.9 percent from beyond the arc. Nate Kennell is a 40.3 percent shooter on 3-pointers, and Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye makes 39.2 percent. In the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, the Braves offense went long stretches without scoring against Loyola and Northern Iowa. Against Missouri State on Jan. 26, Bradley managed only 37 points in an 18-point loss. The Braves average only 66.6 points — 13.1 fewer than Michigan State.

Ward needs to return to full strength to help the Spartans dominate, but his imposing size alone will disrupt the Braves. Like many Michigan State teams, this one controls the boards, outrebounding opponents by nine per game. The Spartans are well-balanced, ranking 37th in the country in points per game (79.7) and 38th in opponents’ points per game (65.5).
Elijah Childs
Bradley's Elijah Childs has 47 blocked shots this season. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

This is Bradley’s strength. The Braves held their last three opponents under 60 points and give up only 65 per game and 41.1 percent field-goal shooting. Watch out for Bradley forward Elijah Childs, who is among the nation’s top 100 shot blockers with 47.

Bradley’s Brian Wardle, 39, deserves credit for transforming one of the youngest Division I teams in the nation — that won only five games his first season — into an experienced bunch that is headed to the NCAA Tournament. This is his first time coaching in the tournament.

Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, 64, is among the most accomplished coaches to stand on a sideline. He has guided the Spartans to 22 NCAA Tournament appearances and has coached in seven Final Fours. He’s looking for his second national championship after winning in 2000. Izzo recently earned his 600th career victory.

Bradley already has experienced a bit of a Cinderella run, overcoming an 0-5 start in the Missouri Valley to win nine of its last 11 games and earn an automatic bid. The Braves have won eight games by five or fewer points and won the last three by three or fewer. There’s also that whole underdog storyline that motivates teams this time of year. It fits Bradley as Michigan State is an 18½-point favorite.

The Spartans are on a roll after their Big Ten Tournament victory and beating rival Michigan three times in three tries. They’ve won 10 of their last 11 games.

Advantage: Bradley.

Prediction: Michigan State 77, Bradley 61.