No. 1 Duke meets No. 2 Michigan State in the East Region final on Sunday in a battle of blue-blood programs and legendary coaches. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
This is the marquee matchup of the Elite Eight. The Spartans are looking for an eighth trip to the Final Four under coach Tom Izzo and the Big Ten's first national championship since the Spartans won it all in 2000. All-American point guard Cassius Winston has Michigan State one step away from that Final Four goal.
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Duke is looking for a 13th trip to the Final Four under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. Zion Williamson has the Blue Devils in position to make a run at their sixth national championship, but Duke has survived back-to-back close calls to get to the Elite Eight.
What more could you ask for? Here is more on what should be a tight Elite Eight matchup in the East Region:
No. 2 Michigan State
| Coach: Tom Izzo (24 years) |
| Overall record: 31-6 |
| Scoring leader: Cassius Winston (18.9 ppg) |
| Rebounding leader: Kenny Goins (9.0 rpg) |
| Assists leader: Winston (7.6 apg) |
| Famous non-athlete alum: James Caan |
No. 1 Duke
| Coach: Mike Krzyzewski (44 years, 39 at Duke) |
| Overall record: 32-5 |
| Scoring leader: RJ Barrett (22.7 ppg) |
| Rebounding leader: Zion Williamson (8.7 rpg) |
| Assists leader: Tre Jones (5.3 apg) |
| Famous non-athlete alum: Apple CEO Tim Cook |
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Best individual matchup
Zion Williamson vs. Michigan State's defense. Williamson is a force unlike anything even Izzo has seen. The Spartan likely will use their fouls with big men Kenny Goins, Xavier Tillman and even Nick Ward, who suffered a hand injury in the Sweet 16 matchup against LSU. The Spartans also could use Aaron Henry on the star forward. Can Michigan State's physical style alter Williamson's efficient game and throw off Duke offensively? UCF succeeded in doing that (albeit with 7-6 center Tacko Fall), and Williamson still shot 12 of 24 from the floor. In the five other games since returning from a knee injury, Williamson is shooting 70.1 percent (68 of 97).
Most eye-popping stat
For a team that is sound on both sides of the ball, the Spartans have struggled with turnovers in the tournament. Michigan State is minus-14 in turnover margin in three tournament games, and Duke is plus-8. That's a gap the Spartans must close against a team that can turn those into easy baskets on the other end. Michigan State did have just six turnovers in Friday's win against LSU, and this is a game where Winston must control the tempo.
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Duke wins if …
Michigan State's defense does not bother Williamson and RJ Barrett does not fall in the love with the jumper. Barrett is shooting 44 percent from the field in the tournament, but that includes a 4-of-14 mark from 3-point range. Tre Jones is Duke's best defender, and he will be tasked with slowing down Winston. The Blue Devils also might be without Cam Reddish, who missed Friday's game. Michigan State is a veteran team that will test Duke's patience. This is a game where Williamson must be at his best. If he is, then the Final Four will be waiting.
Michigan State wins if …
The Spartans rattle Duke early and get either Barrett or Williamson in foul trouble. Good positioning could draw a charge or two on Williamson. The Blue Devils' 3-point shooting was the talk coming into the tournament, but they have been slightly better behind the arc (24 of 64) than the Spartans (24 of 66) the last three games. Matt McQuaid hit seven 3-pointers in the Big Ten championship against Michigan. This is a game where either McQuaid or Gabe Brown — who hit four 3s in the victory against LSU — can alter the game with a big night. Michigan State has weathered injuries all season to get to this point. Don't be surprised if they play looser than usual.
Elite Eight pick: Duke
It's taken this long to get to the stat that will be repeated a few times Sunday. Izzo is 1-11 head-to-head against Krzyzewski. If you go back to that one Michigan State victory in 2006, then you will see an underdog team that got the best of JJ Redick and Shelden Williams. Barrett and Williamson are different talents; this is another game where Williamson must be efficient, and he will be. Duke might need a small second-half comeback to get there, but the Blue Devils advance to another Final Four.
