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MSU expecting Oklahoma to run, run and run some more

March 24, 2015
<p>Junior guard Bryn Forbes and senior guard Travis Trice watch a free-throw Mar. 22, 2015, during the game against Virginia in the Round of 32 of the NCAA tournament at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, NC. The Spartans defeated the Cavaliers 60-54.  Alice Kole/The State News</p>

Junior guard Bryn Forbes and senior guard Travis Trice watch a free-throw Mar. 22, 2015, during the game against Virginia in the Round of 32 of the NCAA tournament at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, NC. The Spartans defeated the Cavaliers 60-54. Alice Kole/The State News

Photo by Alice Kole | The State News

On Friday against Oklahoma, Izzo expects the exact opposite.

“Run, run, run, run, run, man,” Izzo said during his weekly press conference Tuesday. “I think we could have a test run for the 20?second shot clock in this game. It will be just the reverse opposite of what we just went through.”

MSU (25-11 overall) will face Oklahoma (24-10) in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament Friday at 10:07 p.m.

The Spartans will have to deal with a Sooner team that is not only adept at getting up and down the court, but preventing second-chance opportunities. Oklahoma is the fifth-best defensive rebounding team in the nation, grabbing 27.1 per game.

MSU isn’t too far behind, ranking 21st in the nation with 26.2 per game.

“We told our guys last week, you’re going to have to play defense probably for 34 seconds, maybe a little less, with Georgia. But we felt with Virginia, that’s what we had to do,” Izzo said. “Now I think we’re going to have to play defense for a lot less seconds, but our transition defense is going to be very, very critical.”

The Sooners also boast the best scoring margin in the Big 12, outscoring opponents by 9.1 points per game.

Izzo praised Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger, whose coaching stops include UNLV, Illinois, Florida and Kansas State. Kruger’s strong offensive game plan has produced wins at each school.

“When you can do it at five, six different schools, it means you got a hell of a system,” Izzo said. “I think that’s as important as anything. He’s got a very good system he must live up to. Everywhere he goes, the turnaround time is quick. He’s always in the hunt for some things, as he was this year, for a Big 12 championship.

“I have great respect for Lon. I’ve known him for quite a few years. I appreciate how hard his teams play, the job he’s done.”

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