Spartans Wire crew predicts MSU-Auburn NCAA Tournament Elite 8 game
Michigan State basketball will look to cut down the nets on Sunday afternoon -- do we think they'll get it done?
The Spartans and Tigers will battle it out for a spot in the Final Four on Sunday afternoon. Michigan State and Auburn both needed second half rallies in their Sweet 16 matchups, with the Spartans topping Ole Miss and the Tigers beating Michigan.
Tip off between Michigan State and Auburn is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. ET on Sunday. The game will be televised on CBS.
Michigan State comes into this Final Four matchup as an underdog for the first time in over a month. Will Michigan State be cutting down nets on Sunday or will their season be coming to a close? Check out our predictions below:
Robert Bondy
This is going to be a battle between a pair of National Championship contenders, and I really could see this game going either way. The one thing I worry about with the Spartans is their inability to get off to a fast start, and if that happens again, then Auburn will bury them.
This is a coin flip for me and I'll go with the Tigers (hoping I'm wrong).
Prediction: Auburn 74, Michigan State 71
Andrew Brewster
Obviously, this will be the biggest test MSU has faced in the tournament. If we're being honest, it's the biggest test they've faced all year. Auburn is physical, they crash the boards, and they can really score it. That being said, this MSU team has handled everything that has been thrown at them this year and I think they can do it again here.
Prediction: Michigan State 75, Auburn 72
Cory Linsner
Michigan State is due for a good day offensively, and I think it can come against the style Auburn will play. This is going to be one of, if not the most talented team the Spartans will have played to date. Ultimately, I think the Spartans will be the more physical team, along with being the more mentally strong team, and that is going to prove to be the difference down the stretch.
Prediction: Michigan State 84, Auburn 79
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
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