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Michigan State Spartans Look To Bump Off Virginia….Again

By Tony Fischer

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The Virgina Cavaliers owe the Michigan State Spartans a little pay back.  In the 2014 dance, the Spartans bounced the #1 seeded Cavs in the sweet 16.  The 61-59 victory spoiled Virgina’s hopes for a national championship and now they are looking for payback.

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    • "“It’s definitely got to be a revenge factor for them,” Michigan State guard Travis Trice said. “It would be the same thing for us if a team put us out last year.”“The fact that they took that [Elite Eight berth] from us … and the fact that they were in our bracket says a lot,” Virginia forward Darion Atkins said. “We’re very eager to play them.”"

    After falling just short of another final four last year the Spartans have their own motivations for beating Virginia.  Before last season Tom Izzo had a streak of getting every player he ever coached to a final four. That streak ended last season.  Guard Travis Trice wants to get the Spartans back to their rightful place; among the nation’s best of the best basketball programs.

    "“Definitely, last year hurt, especially being so close, being in the Elite Eight game, we felt like we were within four minutes of making it to the Final Four and keeping the streak alive,” MSU guard Travis Trice said. “We feel like that is just added to this year. We want to start that streak back up again and start our own.”"

    Tom Izzo’s Spartans always seem unaffected by seeds. They look at each team like every other, another step toward the goal of a National Championship. The weakness for this teams Spartan team is consistency.  At time they look like they could beat any team in the country and at other they look like a mid-level Horizon league team.

    If the Spartans are going to knock off the higher seeded Virginia Cavaliers for the second year in a row, they will have to exercise the demons of inconsistency and play a complete game.  Otherwise they could be set for a rare second round exit.

    Michigan State Spartans v Virginia Cavaliers Game Information

    Location: Pittsburgh, PA

    Start Time: 12:10pm

    TV: CBS

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