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Volunteers vs. Spartans Preview | Free Pick (Mar. 28)

College basketball Free Preview and gambling prediction including updated point spread and LIVE betting odds for the Tennessee Volunteers vs. Michigan St. Spartans Sunday Elite 8 Midwest Regional tournament hoops matchup…

SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2010 – MIDWEST REGION – Elite 8 AT ST LOUIS – Tennessee vs vs Michigan St.

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Team records:
No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers (28-8, 11-5, SEC)
No. 5 Michigan State Spartans (27-8, 14-4, Big Ten)

Tennessee vs MSU Betting Odds:

The odds makers have the Volunteers as a slim -1 -point favorite.
Michigan State +1
Over/Under: 137
Moneyline: Tenn -130, MSU +110

The No.6 Tennessee Volunteers will prepare for battle against the No. 5 Michigan State Spartans in the Elite 8 round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament on Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri.

Junior center Brian Williams tipped in the go-ahead basket with 32 seconds left as the Volunteers knocked off second-seeded Ohio State 76-73 Friday night in the Sweet 16, propelling Tennessee into the NCAA tournament’s Elite 8 for the first time in school history.

The Buckeyes lack of depth finally caught up with them, as Evan Turner’s 31 points, seven rebounds and five assists just weren’t enough. Senior J.P. Prince did his job blanketing Turner, including blocking another possible miracle 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

Prince, who has been the leading scorer in the NCAA tourney with 33 points, and three-time tourney veteran Wayne Chism posted tournament-best 22 points to go with 11 rebounds in the win.

Tennessee has reached the round of eight by beating San Diego State 62-59 and pummeling Ohio 83-68. The fact that they are in the Elite 8 is extremely impressive considering they’re without the dismissed Tyler Smith. A huge part of the team’s success has been their ability to score points off the bench. Their offense is very balanced with no single player averaging more than 12.5 points a game.

Another weapon to emerge has been 6-foot-10; 278 lbs center Williams who has given the Vols more muscle inside since moving into the starting lineup. Shooting is solid but the Vols are not consistent from three-point range, shooting just 31.8 percent on the season.

If they want to be successful against Izzo’s Spartans, they will need to try work hard to get the ball inside to Chism and Williams where they can score from the low post.

In the meantime, even without their star point guard Kalin Lucas, the Spartans have made an impressive run thus far earning another berth in the round of eight by grinding out a 59-52 victory over everyone’s favorite Cinderella Northern Iowa on Friday night in the Midwest Regional.

The Spartans did it with defense and a stellar performance from Durrell Summers who had a game-high 19 points and seven rebounds in the win. Korie Lucious, who started in place of the injured Lucas, struggled offensively but contributed by pulling down six rebounds, dishing out four assists and capturing four steals.

Although Tom Izzo teams are historically difficult to beat in March, MSU will now face a Tennessee squad that doesn’t quit under any circumstances. Without Lucas they will need another standout performance from Summers.

Meanwhile, for Tennessee the key will be to set the pace offensively and keep their composure. They will need their post players, Chism and Williams to play physical inside and hope that Scotty Hopson regains his outside touch.

This game is extremely tough to pick because the teams are so evenly matched. I expect this to be hard fought game with the winner being whoever wins the battle of the boards.

Betting Trends:

Tennessee is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Michigan State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games

Spartans vs Vols Free CBB Pick

The Spartans outrebounded Northern Iowa 32-26, but my pick is Tennessee in this one as they are much bigger and stronger inside.

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Matt Martz is a freelance writer located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.