Michigan State used a terrific defensive performance and basically cruised to a 61-49 win over #8 seed Marquette. The Spartans now face the East’s #1 seed North Carolina on Saturday night. Freshman Raymar Morgan led the way with 14 points and 9 rebounds and MSU held the Golden Eagles scoreless until midway through the first half. Drew Neitzel and Marquise Gray added 12 points each.

Tom Izzo had a great defensive game plan and it paid off as they held Marquette to 5 2-point field goals for the entire game.

“I don’t want to just be a defensive team — basketball is a two-way game,” Izzo said. “Saying that, if you can only be good at one, your chances of moving on are better if it’s the defensive end.”

This is turning out to be quite a “down year” for the Spartans. Many didn’t expect them to make the tournament, let alone win a game, and now they are into the second round and a date with North Carolina. The Spartans should give Carolina a good game, and I wouldn’t be shocked if they pulled off the upset, I just don’t think it’s likely. I love March Madness!

Read (9) Michigan St. 61, (8) Marquette 49 at Yahoo! Sports

Also, Big Al has a nice breakdown on his loves and hates of March Madness, it’s worth clicking…

Read Why I love, and hate, the NCAA tournament at The Wayne Fontes Experience

This entry was posted on Friday, March 16th, 2007 at 9:24 am and is filed under Michigan State Spartans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.