Final Four bound: Michigan State defeats Louisville, 76-70

In a game that did not lack excitement, Michigan State reached deep into their bag of tricks and pulled out a close win against the Louisville Cardinals, 76-70  and advance to the Final Four.  It took overtime but the Spartans willed their way to yet another victory. The thrilling, nail-biting victory put Spartan nation on the brink of another heart attack but thankfully, the team pulled out a close one.

In a very fast paced first half, Michigan State did not look well. Louisville’s big men and the rest of their team got to the paint whenever they wanted (24-10 first half advantage in the paint) and shot 53 percent from the floor and led the Spartans 40-32.

Montrezl Harrell and Wayne Blackshear combined for 24 of Louisville’s 40 first half points and gave MSU major problems in the first half.

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For the Spartans, Travis Trice and Denzel Valentine showed their competitive nature in the first half, keeping their team close.

Michigan State were able to get good looks from the floor but nothing would fall as they shot 43 percent from the floor and looked a step behind Louisville for the first twenty minutes.

The Spartans committed five turnovers in their win against Oklahoma, in the first half against Louisville, they committed eight and could not figure out the full court press defense Louisville put on. They looked sloppy and if it were not for their five three-point makes, Michigan State would have been dead in the water.

It was Déjà vu for Michigan State as they waited until the second half to catch fire. Behind nine key makes and the stellar team play, Michigan State played the second half with a bit more pep in their step.  Valentine added 15 along with seven rebounds and ix assist.

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The ball movement was more efficient, assisting on 20 of their 26 made field goals and they were able to knock down a higher percentage of their shots. The defense turned around as well, as Louisville had a much tougher time getting to and converting at the rim.

Once again MSU escaped death again, missing two key free-throws in the closing seconds of the game but managed to fight another day.

A large reason for the team’s victory today and in the tournament has been senior guard, Travis Trice. His 17 points and five assist today and stellar play recently has propelled Michigan State to a place where many did not have them just a few weeks ago.

For Louisville, Blackshear finished with 28 points and was the catalyst that sent the game to overtime but, MSU dug deep on the defensive end and kept him and the rest of the team in check.

Thanks to MSU’s enthusiasm and utter will to win, this team has done a complete 180 in the tournament and has a legitimate chance of advancing to the big dance.

It’s the team’s ninth appearance in the Final Four and their first time since 2010.

Up next for Michigan State is the winner of the Duke vs. Gonzaga matchup.