Spartans Must Overcome Inconsistencies to Defeat Strong Memphis Team

There has been one constant this year for Michigan State, and it is their inability to consistently perform to the level that their talent demands. 

Goran Suton, Raymar Morgan, Marquise Gray, and even their star Drew Neitzel have been plagued by their inability to play solid basketball each game. 

Suton has averaged 8.7 points and 8.2 rebounds a game this year, which is not nearly enough offensive production. 

He has had his share of solid performances with four double-digit scoring efforts in the past eight games, and this must continue for Michigan State’s big men to have a chance against Dorsey and the athletic Memphis squad. 

Morgan’s year has been a disappointment to say the least. 

He was looked at as a possibly lottery pick in December, but has since faltered and seen his numbers drop dramatically. 

The Spartans need a performance similar to the one he had against Ohio State in their first game of the Big Ten Tournament because he is one of the only Spartans who can match the athleticism of Memphis.

Gray is another player who has been inconsistent, though not nearly as much is expected of him. 

The Lansing State Journal reported that his toe injury from last week has healed, so expect slightly more playing time because of his size and jumping ability. 

Neitzel is another point of inconsistency despite averaging 14.1 points a game this season. 

Neitzel has scored fewer than 10 points in seven games this year, and has done so against meager opponents such as Penn State, Minnesota, and Temple.  The Spartans need to set more high-ball screens and hope that Neitzel’s shot is pure for them to have a chance against the high scoring Memphis team.   

Kalin Lucas is a freshman talent averaging just over 10 points an outing, and he had the game of his career thus far against Pittsburgh scoring 19 points and coming up big down the stretch with several drives to the basket that resulted in lay-ups. 

Michigan State needs him to repeat that performance and to not revert to how he played against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament, where his play was out-of-control and helped cost State the game at the end with key turnovers. 

Michigan State can keep up with Memphis’s pace for most of the game, but must also rely on Neitzel to hit a number of 3-pointers to remain in the game. 

If Suton can keep up his play of late, and Morgan can find his early season form, then Michigan State will defeat Memphis to head to the Elite Eight.  If not, Friday’s game will be a mismatch.