New York, NY - The Michigan State Spartans and 19th-ranked
Texas Longhorns are set to collide in the semifinal round of the 2K Sports
College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer.
Michigan State has won its first three games of the season to earn a spot
in tonight's semifinal round. Most recently, the Spartans rolled to a 73-41
romp over The Citadel. Michigan State has an all-time record of 68-20 in the
month of November, and a victory over Texas would certainly boost the
confidence of this squad.
Speaking of the Longhorns, they have yet to be tested, as they have rolled
past both Alcorn State (103-44) and Chicago State (92-66). Texas set a
program record last season with 30 victories en route to a share of the
Big 12 title. Many of the top players from that club are gone, but the fact
that the team is ranked 19th nationally suggests that there is plenty of
talent still in place.
Texas has won the only two previous meetings with Michigan State, including an
85-76 triumph in 2003.
In the 32-point romp over The Citadel last time out, Michigan State played
well on the defensive end of the court. The Spartans limited the Bulldogs to
29.4 percent shooting from the floor. Tom Izzo's club also earned a 23-8
advantage in points from the foul line and committed just 10 giveaways in the
clash. Drew Neitzel led the way in the win over The Citadel with 17 points,
while Raymar Morgan and Isaiah Dahlman contributed 10 points apiece. Through
three outings, the Spartans are averaging 68.0 ppg while surrendering only
45.3 ppg to the opposition. They are shooting 50.8 percent from the floor,
including 50 percent from three-point range, and they are holding their foes
to 32 percent efficiency from the field. Rebounding has been a major area of
strength, as Michigan State is pulling down almost 15 more rebounds per game
than its opponents. Neitzel is averaging 13.7 ppg to pace the squad.
Texas led Chicago State by 14 points at intermission and rolled to the
victory. Kevin Durant was outstanding in the triumph, as he tallied 21 points,
13 rebounds and five blocks. A.J. Abrams was even more productive at the
offensive end, and he tallied 28 points on the strength of a sensational 8-
of-11 effort from three-point range. Damion James tallied 14 points, and D.J.
Augustin contributed 13 points in addition to nine assists. Defensively, the
Longhorns limited their overmatched opponent to 39.7 percent shooting from the
field. In the opening romp over Alcorn State, five players scored in double
figures for Texas. Kevin Durant tallied 20 points in that clash, and he may be
the best freshman in the nation. At 6-9 and 225 pounds, Durant is a tremendous
athlete on every NBA radar.
© 2006 The Sports Network
USA
Your Talkback on this Story