Michigan State, the No. 2-seeded Spartans, will face a daunting challenge in the NCAA tournament first round against Bryant, a 15-seed from the America East Conference. The match-up takes place on Friday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
The Spartans, led by coach Tom Izzo, boast a strong record of 27-6 overall and 17-3 in the Big Ten, while Bryant has finished 14-2 in America East with an impressive 23-11 overall record. However, the Bulldogs’ lack of experience against high-major opponents may be their downfall.
Michigan State’s depth on the interior and its ability to control the glass will be crucial in this game. The Spartans have been strong defensively, particularly when it comes to 3-point defense, allowing opponents to make just 27.9% of their shots from beyond the arc. Bryant, on the other hand, has struggled with shooting efficiency, especially outside.
Bryant’s offense is paced by key players Rafael Pinzon and Earl Timberlake, who have been able to create for themselves and others. However, they will need to adjust to MSU’s physical style and attention on the perimeter. If they can’t find ways to counter this defense, Michigan State’s interior size and rebounding may prove too much to handle.
The Spartans are coming off a strong finish to the regular season, with freshman Jase Richardson emerging as a key contributor. His emergence has elevated MSU’s ceiling since February, and he will look to make an impact in this game.
In the end, Michigan State’s experience and depth should give it the edge it needs to win. While Bryant is no pushover, the Spartans’ superior talent and coaching should prove too much for the underdog Bulldogs.
Prediction: MSU 86, Bryant 70
Source: https://eu.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/columnists/graham-couch/2025/03/20/msu-basketball-vs-bryant-ncaa-tournament-prediction-how-to-watch-bet/82531917007