NCAA Scores 2012: Michigan State and Teams Limping into Sweet 16

Spartie got a scare.

Despite having much more talent, size and experience, the No. 1-seeded Michigan State Spartans barely hung on for the 65-61 win over No. 9 Saint Louis in the West region on Sunday.

Despite outshooting the Billikens 54 percent to 35, they had to hit their free throws down the stretch to survive. This came two days after only being up by five at halftime against Long Island.

You can look at it in one of two ways.

Either the Spartans are simply playing to the level of their competition and there’s no such thing as an ugly win or they have some serious issues that must be addressed in a hurry.

How in the world does one of the best rebounding teams in the nation only collect four more (29-25) against a team that has only one player in their starting lineup over 6’6’’?

They are going to be on major upset alert in the Sweet 16 against No. 4 Louisville, as will these two other squads.

No. 1 Syracuse

The Orangemen were incredibly close to being the first No. 1 seed to ever get knocked off by a No. 16, and then they played uninspired ball in the third round against No. 8 Kansas State until turning it on late.

Without the 7’0’’ Fab Melo inside, the interior defense is soft and any team with a bruising big man in the post can take advantage of it.

I’d argue that No. 4 Wisconsin should be favored in their Thursday matchup.

No. 2 Ohio State

Everyone is still waiting for the Buckeyes of last year to surface.

Ohio State’s lackluster 73-66 win over No. 7 Gonzaga had their big weakness on full display. They were outrebounded by a smaller team 31-to-26. Jared Sullinger only had four.

If he doesn’t fix that in a hurry then there is no way they can hang in the Sweet 16.

Coach Thad Motta has to hammer home that point this week in practice. 

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