Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Put Up Your Dukes

Spartans have slight edge going into matchup of starting lineups in Friday's Sweet 16 game against Duke

March 25, 2013
	<p>Duke guard <strong>Rasheed Sulaimon</strong> vs. <span class="caps">MSU</span> guard/forward <strong>Branden Dawson</strong></p>

	<p>This should be a tough matchup for Dawson, trying to stay in front of the much smaller and quicker Sulaimon, who also is able to shoot the ball from distance. Dawson could look to capitalize on his size advantage against Sulaimon — Dawson is two inches taller and 45 pounds heavier — but the Gary, Ind., native hasn’t spent a ton of time in the post this season.</p>

	<p>Advantage: <strong>Duke</strong></p>

Duke guard Rasheed Sulaimon vs. MSU guard/forward Branden Dawson

This should be a tough matchup for Dawson, trying to stay in front of the much smaller and quicker Sulaimon, who also is able to shoot the ball from distance. Dawson could look to capitalize on his size advantage against Sulaimon — Dawson is two inches taller and 45 pounds heavier — but the Gary, Ind., native hasn’t spent a ton of time in the post this season.

Advantage: Duke

Never before have as many upset-minded teams advanced this far in the NCAA Tournament, but through all the chaos, two programs remain: Tom Izzo’s Spartans and Mike Krzyzewski’s Blue Devils.

They are two of the winningest coaches in tournament history and lead the only programs with 11 or more Sweet 16 appearances in the past 16 seasons.

Both teams featuring two of the top starting five’s in the country, with all 10 players averaging nine points or more per game.

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