Maryland (24-8) vs. Michigan State (25-8)
Sports Network | March 21, 2010
GAME NOTES: The ACC meets the Big Ten in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament today, as the fifth-seeded Maryland Terrapins battle the fourth- seeded Michigan State Spartans at Spokane Memorial Arena. The winner of this Midwest Regional contest will move on to the Sweet 16 to challenge Northern Iowa.
Winners of 10 of their last 12 outings, the Terps took care of business in first-round action on Friday, notching an 89-77 victory over 13th-seeded Houston. It marked the 10th straight first-round win for Maryland, which improved to 38-22 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. With another win today, the Terps would move on to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2003.
As for Michigan State, it had its hands full with 12th-seeded New Mexico State on Friday, but hung on for a 70-67 first-round win. The Spartans, making their 13th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, are trying to duplicate last year's run when they advanced to the Championship Game.
The all-time series between Michigan State and Maryland is knotted at 2-2, with the Terps taking the last two meetings, including an 80-62 decision in 2008.
Jordan Williams was unstoppable on Friday, recording career-highs of 21 points and 17 rebounds to lead Maryland past Houston. It was the seventh double- double of the season for Williams, who is averaging 9.6 ppg and 8.6 rpg. Landon Milbourne added 19 points and seven rebounds, while Greivis Vasquez turned in 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Eric Hayes tacked on 11 points and six helpers for Maryland, which dominated the glass, 50-29. The Terps are barely outrebounding opponents on the season, so don't expect that kind of dominance against MSU today. Maryland though, can score with the best of them, averaging a robust 79.6 ppg. Vasquez, the ACC Player of the Year, is the focal point of the UM attack and he produces 19.4 ppg and 6.2 apg. Milbourne checks in with 12.7 ppg and 5.0 rpg, and Hayes contributes 11.1 ppg and 3.8 apg.
Kalin Lucas poured in a career-high 25 points and the Spartans hit several key shots down the stretch to top New Mexico State on Friday. Lucas also dished out four assists for the Spartans, who outscored the Aggies, 23-13, at the foul line. Durrell Summers logged 14 points, and Raymar Morgan pitched in with 11. For the season, Lucas heads MSU in scoring at 15.2 ppg and he is also distributing a team-high 3.9 apg. Morgan ranks second with 11.4 ppg and 6.1 rpg, while Summers puts fourth 10.2 ppg and 4.5 rpg. Draymond Green provides a spark off the bench with 9.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 3.0 apg for Michigan State, which is outrebounding opponents by 8.8 rpg for the season.
These are two evenly matched teams, so expect a dogfight. The Spartans are a little better defensively and that should help them emerge victorious.
GAME NOTES: The ACC meets the Big Ten in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament today, as the fifth-seeded Maryland Terrapins battle the fourth- seeded Michigan State Spartans at Spokane Memorial Arena. The winner of this Midwest Regional contest will move on to the Sweet 16 to challenge Northern Iowa.
FACTS & STATS: Site: Spokane Memorial Arena (12,210 ) -- Spokane, Washington. Television: CBS. NCAA Tournament Record: Maryland 38-22, Michigan State 49-22. Series Record: Series is tied, 2-2.
Michigan State 74, Maryland 69
