Daily Word: Have Spartans figured things out?
Every weekday, some of our college hoops experts discuss the biggest issues, trends and themes in and around college basketball.
1. Has Michigan State simply put together a nice run or have the Spartans figured things out?
Andy Katz: I would hardly call it a run. The Spartans easily could have lost to Ohio State on Saturday. They are a flawed team with limited offensive ability. But the team has heart. It won't quit, and if it can bottle that up and continue to defend, expect the Spartans to be in every game going forward and advance further than projected. Coach Tom Izzo won't let this squad go quietly.
C.L. Brown: Nice run. The Spartans figured out they're a lot better when Denzel Valentine is making shots from deep. Valentine shot just 28 percent from 3-point range in their first eight Big Ten games. In their past four games, he has regained his shooting touch and has made 17 for 35 from behind the arc.
Jeff Goodman: The Spartans have won four of their past five, but two came against Rutgers and Northwestern and the other two came at home against a decimated Michigan team and a mediocre Ohio State team. Michigan State is likely an 8- or 9-seed right now, and it doesn't have an easy slate left, with four road games against Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana.
2. More accurate representation of Oklahoma -- the four losses in five games in January, or the current stretch of five wins in six games?
Katz: The latter. The Sooners have always been able to defend under coach Lon Kruger. Now they can actually score. Buddy Hield can go off for 20-plus points. TaShawn Thomas gives the Sooners a realistic scoring threat inside. And Ryan Spangler is a needed bruiser. If the point guard play remains steady, the Sooners have a chance to reach Indy in the right bracket.
Brown: The Sooners weren't the only team to hit a rough patch in January, and it should be noted that three of those losses were to ranked teams on the road. The growing pains are over. Oklahoma relies so much on its starters, but its recent upswing has benefited from Frank Booker and Khadeem Lattin providing a boost from the bench. If they can be consistent, the Sooners are going to be a tough out in the tournament.
Goodman: I'm a fan of the Sooners, especially their starting five. However, I think so much of it comes down to whom you play -- and where you play them. Oklahoma has beaten Texas Tech at home, Oklahoma State on the road, West Virginia at home, TCU on the road and Iowa State at home. Those are games they should win -- although a big reason is that Lon Kruger's team has gotten back to defending.
3. The SEC team (not named Kentucky) that could do the most damage in the NCAA tournament is . . . ?
Katz: Arkansas. The Hogs will be tough to prepare for on short notice. If Arkansas gets past the first round, then the odds are in its favor to get to the Sweet 16. The Hogs can play a frenetic pace, fluster the opponent with traps and play exceptionally hard.
Brown: March is about guard play and Arkansas' Rashad Madden is the best of the lot from the SEC's likely tournament teams outside of Kentucky. Madden ranks second in the league in assists (4.9 per game). He's also a senior, and his experience will be invaluable come the postseason.
Goodman: Man, I guess Arkansas -- but I'm far from a Razorbacks believer. Georgia is well-coached, but I'm just not sold on its talent level. LSU scares the heck out of me, and you just can't rely on the Tigers. Honestly, I'm not buying any of them to do any legitimate damage come March -- but that also depends on matchups.
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Games To Watch
Kentucky has already matched the best start in school history. The Wildcats can set a new mark with a win in Knoxville. One of the keys to their recent big wins has been rebounding -- they have outrebounded their past three opponents by a combined 42 rebounds.
7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Since that thrilling home win over Duke on Jan. 28, Notre Dame is 2-2. A return to Joyce Center could be just what the Irish need -- but don't forget, Wake Forest was a point away from upsetting Virginia on the road.
In their first meeting, Oklahoma routed Texas in Austin. The Longhorns need a win here as they begin a stretch of five straight games against ranked teams, three of which come on the road.
ESPNU Basketball Podcast
Andy Katz and Seth Greenberg check in with newsmakers from around college basketball.
- March 31: Tom Crean on Final Four
- March 24: Tom Izzo, Larry Krystkowiak
- March 18: Bracket breakdown
- March 9: Kansas' Bill Self
- March 2: Bo Ryan, Dave Rose
