DETROIT (WILX) -- We're just hours away from Michigan State getting its first taste of action in this year's NCAA Tournament. The Spartans face Bucknell Friday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
After a close call making the NCAA Tournament a year ago, Michigan State is seeded highly once again, which comes with an opportunity for a greater upset. And if looking at Friday's opponent Bucknell, a versatile scoring team, it reminds you of what happened in 2016.
That's because Bucknell and Middle Tennessee State share many of the same upset factor qualities.
"I looked at Middle Tennessee, not to bring that up but I look at Bucknell and shake my head. How are they a 14 seed? I mean that. They have 3 seniors that can all put the ball in the hole," says MSU Head Coach Tom Izzo.
"As a team that likes to get out and run, I think our depth kind of hurts them. but as a team that likes to do that too, we play that way too," says MSU Guard Cassius Winston.
"You just have to be smart. you can't overhelp. you have to do certain things against a team than can drive better than they can shoot. so in terms of a shooting team, we got to play them like it," says MSU Forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
"If they weren't a good enough team they woudn't be in the tournament right now so it's not up to us to take them lightly. we have to go out there and lock in," says MSU Guard Joshua Langford.
"It's going to be very important to control the boards on both sides of the ball. we just don't want to give them any second looks. we don't want them to be comfortable. they got lots of experience and are great on offense," says MSU Forward Miles Bridges.
Tom Izzo said that people are always cheering for the underdog though. But he says no matter the locations, the key is to play the team and not the name on the shirt.
Tip-off for Friday's game against Bucknell is set for 7:10PM.
News 10's Zach Berridge will have complete coverage from Little Caesars Arena before and after the game later Friday on News 10 and WILX.com.
