Breakdown: MSU vs. Maryland

For two teams separated by states and conferences, the Maryland and MSU men’s basketball teams are very familiar with each other.

The teams seem to meet often in non-conference play and coaches Tom Izzo and Gary Williams are old friends.

On Sunday, the No. 5 seed Spartans (25-8) and No. 4 Terrapins (24-8) play for a trip to the Sweet 16 in St. Louis. Here is a breakdown of Sunday’s game:

Backcourt

As good as junior guard Kalin Lucas was on Friday against New Mexico State, Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez has been equally as good all season. The ACC Player of the Year averages 19.4 points and 6.3 assists per game and orchestrates the Terps’ lethal fast break. With Lucas hobbling for the last six minutes Friday and Chris Allen on the bench with a sprained arch in his right foot, MSU’s skilled backcourt could be depleted. Lucas expects to play and start, while Allen remains “hour-to-hour,” as Izzo put it. It would make a world of difference.

Advantage: Maryland

Frontcourt

If he’s still hot, Maryland forward Jordan Williams could be as talented a freshman big man the Spartans face all season. He had career highs in points, rebounds and field goals Friday in Maryland’s win against Houston and could be a factor in keeping Maryland at par on the glass. Rebounding goes a long way in the NCAA Tournament and few in the nation are better than the Spartans in the country.

Advantage: Even

Bench

It appears Allen will not start, if he plays at all, for the Spartans. The pressure will fall on back-up guards Korie Lucious and Mike Kebler, who have seen extended minutes since Lucas first injured his ankle in February. With always-crucial sixth man Draymond Green coming off the bench to lead, the Spartans have yet to come up against a better bench this year.

Advantage: MSU

Coaches

Izzo and Williams’ friendship goes back to the years when Williams was the head coach at Ohio State in the late-80s. Since, they’ve met four times on the floor and traveled to Kuwait together for Operation Hardwood. They’re both known for running their programs the right way and have had tremendous success along the way. Likely two future Hall of Famers.

Advantage: Even

Intangibles

These teams will know Sunday that No. 1 overall seed Kansas was upset on Saturday by No. 9-seed Northern Iowa, which awaits the winner of Maryland-MSU. For a team that has struggled with focus all season, it could play a major part in how the Spartans approach Sunday’s game. Izzo called the Spartans an underdog in the contest, but most expect the Spartans to come out of Spokane, Wash.

Advantage: Maryland

Prediction: MSU 71, Maryland 66

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