New Mexico has improved their defense throughout the season, limiting second chance opportunities. The Spartans have struggled beyond the arc all season long but currently lead the nation in defending it. New Mexico has the ability to create turnovers leading to transition buckets which may be difficult against this season but they have the offensive players to keep this one within the number.

The Spartans took a while to warm up on Friday before pulling clear against America East champ Bryant. New Mexico presents more of a challenge but after the Lobos notched their first Big Dance win in over a decade on Friday when taking out Marquette. There will be real pressure on star G Donovan Dent (20.6 ppg) to not only create shots but offense for his teammates against the sort of physical backcourt usually not seen in the Mountain West. A season's worth of Big Ten tests have battle-hardened Tom Izzo's troops, and the emergence of frosh G Jase Richardson (19 ppg last five) as an electric playmaker has added an extra punch to MSU. Play Michigan State (NCAA at Cleveland)

Michigan State has won and covered nine of their last 10 games and they were the best teams in the Big Ten beating Wisconsin, Maryland, Michigan, Purdue, and Illinois. They've gone 28-6 this season covering 23 games while also staying under the total 23 times. It's a good combo to pair them up as they’ve gone under eight of their last 10. Michigan State's defense will slow New Mexico's fast pace down and alter their approach. Michigan State to cover.