On Friday the Michigan State Spartans and the Northern Iowa Panthers square off in a sweet sixteen match-up that looks to be an exciting game.
Both teams are coming off wins sealed by huge shots with just seconds remaining in the game: Korie Lucious nailed a buzzer-beater three to win over Maryland and Ali Farokhmanesh hit a huge three with less than 30 seconds left to put NIU out of Kansas' reach.
Michigan State, however, faces some problems coming into this game.
Prior to an Lucas receiving an MRI, Spartan head coach Tom Izzo stated that regardless of the outcome Lucas would almost certainly not be playing in the Northern Iowa game.
The MRI this morning confirmed that Lucas has sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon, an injury that will keep him out of basketball for 4-6 months.
This leaves Korie Lucious, the hero form the Maryland game, to run the point for the Spartans. On the season, Lucious averages 21 minutes and 5 points per game, down considerably from Lucas' averages of 31 minutes and 15 points.
As if losing Lucas isn't enough, Michigan State has injuries in other areas as well.
Chris Allen played just four minutes against Maryland with an injury to the arch of his foot. Raymar Morgan is nursing a broken tooth, and Delvon Roe has been playing on a surgically repaired knee for some time now.
Draymond Green becomes a huge factor for the Spartans. He and big man Durell Summers will need to step up to take some of the weight off Lucious' shoulders.
Northern Iowa, conversely, is healthy...and they will need to be. Michigan State, even while injured, is much more athletic than NIU.The Panthers need to stay on their hot streak and rely on outside shooting from Ali Farokhmanesh and the inside presence of Jordan Eglseder.
If NIU can slow down the potent offense of Michigan State they have a very realistic chance in this game (ESPN has already picked them over the depleted Spartans).
Northern Iowa is one of the four remaining teams who are at least a 9 seed. (#10 St. Mary's, #11 Washington, and #12 Cornell the others)
Michigan State, in the sweet sixteen for the ninth time in thirteen seasons, is two wins away from a nation-high sixth appearance in the Final Four since 1999.
Coach Izzo gave some insight on his team's injuries and the upcoming game:
"We've got a 'MASH' unit," Izzo said. "The bottom of Chris' foot is purple, Delvon is playing on one leg and Raymar looks like a hockey player with his tooth cut in half. We think we can get Chris back -- after showing toughness we've never seen from him -- and we'll hold Delvon out of practice to let him rest as much as we can."
"We're going to need everybody we have in uniform to step up," Izzo said. "There were times we had two walk-ons, a freshman and a sophomore on the court Sunday and that probably won't be the last time in the tournament. Northern Iowa is good, but thank God they're not a team that presses like Maryland."
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