The first game of the Sweet 16 could end up being one of the best of the tournament. Michigan State vs. Kansas State is an excellent matchup, with both teams getting the most out of transfers. For Michigan State, Tyson Walker and Joey Hauser are going to leave it all on the floor. In what will be a dynamite game, look for Kansas State to have the answers and have one decisive run to pull away.

First-year Kansas State coach Jerome Tang hit the transfer portal hard as just two players returned from last season. Three of Tang’s top-four scorers this season are seniors, and the other is a junior. And they’re led by senior point guard Markquis Nowell who averaged 17 ppg and was second in the nation with 7.8 assists per game. Nowell has taken over the first two games with 23 assists and 44 points combined. I absolutely love senior point guards in the NCAA Tournament. Take Kansas State to cover.

This game has the feel of one where free throws at the end will push it over. Michigan State's last three games have ended up below this total, though the five games before that flew over this number. Meanwhile, Kansas State likes to push the pace with each of their last seven games totaling at least 140 points. In 9 of their last 10 games, they've allowed 65 or more points to their opponent. In this Sweet 16 matchup at Madison Square Garden, I see a game played in the upper-60s, if not higher.

The Wildcats have the best guards in the country with Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell. Nowell is playing out of his mind right now as he averaged 22.0 points and 11.5 rebounds in the first weekend of the tournament. The Spartans are reliant on the three pointer, however the Wildcats hold opponents to under 30% from behind the line. Expect the Wildcats defense to be able to slow down the Spartans and win this game. Take the Wildcats to move on.

Michigan State is the only Big Ten team left, which says something about the strength of that conference. The Spartans' defense was able to focus on one opposing star in the first two rounds, but now they'll have to deal with Marquis Nowell (17.1 ppg, 7.8 apg) and Keyontae Johnson (17.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 40.5 percent on 3-pointers). The Spartans could combat that with outstanding 3-point shooting -- they hit 38.7 percent -- but it will be tough to get untracked against a Kansas State team allowing under 30 percent. Take the points.