It's Big Ten vs. Big 12 in Syracuse when Michigan State and Oklahoma face each other Friday. The Spartans earned a No. 7 seed after a somewhat down season by their standards. Tom Izzo pulled out some of his old March magic again — Michigan State beat No. 10 Georgia and went on to upset No. 2 seed Virginia in the third round. The Sooners are in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2009, when young prodigy Blake Griffin carried them to the Elite Eight.
Mar 27, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Gavin Schilling (34) blocks the shot of Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during the second half in the semifinals of the east regional of the 2015
The difference a year makes: Michigan State defeated OU 87-76 to win the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic on Nov. 23, 2013. The Spartans contained guards Buddy Hield, Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard (a combined 2-of-11 3-point shooting), but couldn't
Rick Pitino's Louisville Cardinals took control in the second half over N.C. State on the way to a 75-65 win. Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans came back from an early deficit to knock off the Oklahoma Sooners 62-58. Louisville, the East region's No
Smith said the Sooners are adept at getting out on the break and getting easy baskets, so that makes it key for Michigan State to rebound effectively on the offensive end as well as on defense. The Spartans have been out-rebounded in both of their NCAA