Davidson should give the Spartans troubles with its ability to shoot the 3-pointer. On the season, the Wildcats averaged 40 percent from distance. Additionally, coach Tom Izzo’s Spartans have had issues when not on the top seed line in March Madness. Take Davidson.

All the excitement about a possible Coach K-Tom Izzo matchup in the second round ignores a Davidson team given a coin-flip chance to beat Michigan State on Friday night. The Wildcats beat Alabama earlier this season so there's no surprise in squaring off against a team of Michigan State's caliber, and Bob McKillop's patient offensive attack will test a Sparty defense that rates as one of the worst in the Tom Izzo era in terms of efficiency.

The wrong team is favored, in my opinion. Davidson has trouble with rebounding, but the Spartans are not the type of team that can take advantage. Michigan State is one of the worst teams in terms of shot selection. The Spartans went 3-3 in their last six games and it could have been 1-5. Point guard Tyson Walker is questionable for MSU. I think Davidson wins easily!

Davidson coach Bob McKillop used to be my next-door neighbor and coached my brother in high school. He loves the balance of this Wildcats squad, as well as the experience. Davidson G Foster Loyer gets revenge against his old coach, Tom Izzo.

Point guard Foster Loyer transferred to Davidson after Tom Izzo brought in Tyson Walker to replace him. Now Loyer (16.3 ppg, 3.3 apg) leads a Wildcats team that shoots 47.7 percent overall and 38.4 percent from deep (8th nationally). He'll be plenty motivated to face the Spartans. MSU could be without Walker, who sprained his ankle Saturday. Michigan State's other point guard, A.J. Hoggard, will play but also is dinged up. Back the Wildcats to improve to 6-1 ATS in their last seven at neutral sites.