Frontcourt: Senior center Chante Black, arguably Duke’s strongest player, leads the team in both points (14.5) and rebounds (8.4). Both those totals are higher than any MSU player averages. The Blue Devils also entered the tournament ranked 13th in the nation for both rebounding margin and blocks per game. But the MSU tandem of junior center Allyssa DeHaan and redshirt junior forward Aisha Jefferson could negate Duke’s frontcourt. Jefferson is playing do-or-die basketball and DeHaan’s efforts in the second half hampered the nation’s top scorer on Sunday.

Advantage: Push

Backcourt: If the Spartans are going to receive so much as a push in the frontcourt category, something has to give in the backcourt. The Blue Devils came in ranked second in the nation in steals with 13.4 per game and 31st in turnover margin. Translation: They take care of the ball and force teams to do the opposite. MSU’s Achilles heel all season has been turnovers and the loss of sophomore guard Brittney Thomas and the ensuing point guard issues have only stressed that problem.

Advantage: Duke

Bench: Go beyond Duke’s starting five and there are another five to seven players who could beat the starting five of more than half of Division 1 teams in the country. In Sunday’s first-round game, the Blue Devils had 11 players see action and all of them scored — three in double figures. They had 43 points off the bench, more than two-thirds of the total points MSU scored in its game against Middle Tennessee.

Advantage: Duke

Coaching: Duke is one of the premier basketball programs in the country. McCallie is the head coach at Duke. Does that make her the better coach in the matchup? MSU head coach Suzy Merchant was faced with the tough task of inheriting a program after a great coach suddenly left. She kept all the players and has kept this MSU team a winner. Players who go to Duke rarely even consider visiting East Lansing. McCallie inherited a dozen McDonald’s All-Americans in Durham. It’s yet to be seen if she’s the difference-maker.

Advantage: MSU

Intangibles: For the third year in a row, March Madness has dawned upon East Lansing. Last year, it was in the form of the women’s NIT and the year before, Breslin Center was host to the women’s NCAA Tournament as it is this year. More than 4,300 fans came out to support the Spartans on Sunday and more are expected for Tuesday’s game. If MSU has a shot at knocking off the Blue Devils, they’re going to need every bit of intangible — home crowd, home floor and hometown — on its side.

Advantage: MSU

Prediction: Duke 89, MSU 68