NCAA Tournament 2012: Michigan State Has No Need to Panic After Close Call

Scoreboards lie.

Powerhouse Michigan State only eliminated the lowly Saint Louis Billikens by a score of 65-61 on Sunday in the 2012 NCAA tournament’s round of 32.  Despite the minute margin of victory, Tom Izzo’s crew has no reason to panic heading into the Sweet 16.

A four-point triumph doesn’t scream domination, but believe it or not, Draymond Green and company owned the Billikens.

Michigan State’s offense defined efficiency.  They shot 54.3 percent from the field and 40 from beyond the arc.  If the Spartans continue to shoot like that, they’ll be nearly impossible to knock out.

Why?  Because their defense is capable of manhandling opponents.

Saint Louis only managed to shoot 35.3 percent from the field and shot an embarrassing 28 from three-point land.  What they did to stay in the game was simple and something that the Spartans and their fans shouldn’t worry about.

Free throw disparity was one of the keys that kept the game close.  Rick Majerus’ squad shot an incredible 78.3 percent from the charity stripe while MSU shot just 64.7.  Michigan State is usually a solid free throw shooting team, averaging 70.2 percent from the line, so it’s unrealistic to expect another significant letdown.

Saint Louis also committed just six turnovers to the Spartans 11.  Izzo is one of the brightest minds in the game of basketball—probably the second best college coach to Mike Krzyzewski himself.  He won’t allow his team’s turnover margin to become a consistent issue.

And of course, with Green continuing to lead night in and night out, Michigan State will never have reason to fear losing focus on the floor.  At 6’7”, 230 pounds, he’s a matchup nightmare.  After recording a triple-double in the round of 64, the senior point-forward dropped 16 points, snagged 10 boards and delivered six dimes against the Billikens.

Fans who didn’t watch the Spartans take care of business on Sunday will point to their slim win and predict a choke job.  That collapse won’t be occurring any time soon, though.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels