Both Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and Oklahoma’s Lon Krueger have been here before, dancing late into March as one of the few teams remaining in the NCAA Tournament. Both paths different, but heading the same direction.
Izzo and Krueger’s current teams both have dynamic lead guards, Travis Trice for the Spartans and Buddy Hield for the Sooners, that are capable of taking over any game at any time. Both teams have work-horses underneath in Brandon Dawson and Ryan Spangler.
So, who’s got the advantage?
Like any game at this stage of the NCAA Tournament, the winner will need their stars to electric. Trice would be well served to continue his hot-shooting ways, while Hield might want to find a bit more efficiency than he’s been able to get away with in the first two rounds.
Should either guard have an off-night, however, the likes of Denzel Valentine and Isaiah Cousins will be names to keep an eye on for fans and casual spectators alike.
Valentine is a SG/SF hybrid, possessing the skill and size to swing back forth between the two roles. He’s at his best when allowed to create for himself and others with the ball, as he may be the most underrated passer in America who can also get their own shot when needed. Throw in his 41.8-percent shooting from deep, and he could be the most crucial matchup for the Sooners’ defense.
Cousins is a bit different in the sense that much of his damage is done when defenses start thinking that Hield is the only dangerous weapon that OU has on the perimeter. Yes, he brings the ball up half the time. Yes, he can create for others too. But, again, he’s a prototypical second-option. Kick outs, open court spot ups with the occasional drive and finish. Cousins spreads the floor so that Hield can work off the bounce, while Spangler and T’Shawn Thomas can dirty things up underneath.
