March Madness is here, and the No. 15 Bryant Bulldogs square off against the No. 2 Michigan State Spartans in a first round showdown. Tom Izzo, leading the Spartans for his 27th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, knows the highs and lows of March. While his team is always a threat, upsets have haunted him in recent years. Can Michigan State fend off another Cinderella story?
Here’s our preview of this game, which includes a prediction, using the best NCAA Basketball odds from the top sportsbooks.
NCAA Tournament Pick: Bryant +17.5 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Bryant Bulldogs vs. Michigan State Spartans
Friday, March 21, 2025 – 10:00 PM EDT at Rocket Arena
The Story So Far
Bryant, the America East Conference champion, thrives on pace and energy. Under Phil Martelli Jr., the Bulldogs have sharpened their offensive attack, improving their efficiency from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line. Their game plan is simple: push the tempo, force Michigan State into a track meet, and capitalize on their ability to spread the floor.
Rafael Pinzon leads Bryant with 18.5 points per game, Earl Timberlake averages 15.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists, and Barry Evans adds 13.5 points and 6.9 rebounds.
Michigan State, however, is built to counter that style. Their defensive identity centers on limiting perimeter shooting, a crucial edge against a Bryant team reliant on the 3-ball. While the Spartans have had their own struggles from deep, they make up for it with efficiency inside the arc and dominance on the offensive glass—two factors that could wear down the Bulldogs as the game progresses.
The key battle will be tempo vs. physicality. Bryant may keep things close early with their quick-strike offense, but Michigan State’s depth and rebounding advantage could take over late. If the Bulldogs don’t shoot at an elite clip, they’ll have a hard time keeping up.
Izzo’s squad isn’t reliant on a single star; they adapt and find the hot hand when needed. Jaden Akins, Jase Richardson, Tre Holloman, Jaxon Kohler, are four of their seven players who average at least seven points per game. Bryant’s pace might test them, but expect Michigan State to dictate the game’s rhythm and grind out a controlled victory.
Keys to the Game
Bryant relies on a fast-paced attack and a trio of key scorers—Pinzon, Timberlake, and Evans. On the other side, Michigan State boasts its usual defensive toughness under Izzo. While the Spartans have struggled from beyond the arc, their inside scoring efficiency and rebounding could pose a major challenge for Bryant’s smaller lineup.
The Bulldogs thrive on pushing the pace, but Michigan State’s perimeter defense is built to counter that. The Spartans excel at limiting three-point opportunities, a critical factor against a Bryant team that needs to be efficient from deep to pull off the upset. If Michigan State forces Bryant into rushed, contested shots, the Bulldogs’ offense could stall.
Timberlake is Bryant’s most well-rounded playmaker, contributing across the board. However, Michigan State’s size and physicality in the paint could make it difficult for him to attack inside. The Spartans dominate the glass, and if Timberlake is forced to take more outside shots instead of creating in the lane, it could shift the advantage further in Michigan State’s favor.
The Spartans aren’t dependent on a single scorer, with Akins, Richardson, Holloman, and Kohler all averaging at least eight points per game. Their ability to share the scoring load makes them difficult to defend, and with Bryant’s focus on an up-tempo game, defensive lapses in transition could leave the Bulldogs vulnerable to easy buckets.
Michigan State’s ability to control the boards could be the deciding factor. The Spartans not only limit opponents to one-and-done possessions but also generate second-chance points through offensive rebounding. If Bryant is consistently giving up extra possessions, it’ll be an uphill battle to keep up.
NCAA Tournament Pick
Bryant will likely start strong, using its pace to test Michigan State’s transition defense. Pinzon and Evans could get some early looks from deep, and if the Bulldogs hit their 3-point shots at a high rate, they could make things interesting. However, Michigan State’s physicality, depth, and rebounding should begin to take over as the game progresses.
Look for the Spartans to dictate the tempo, wear Bryant down inside, and pull away in the second half. Michigan State’s defensive pressure and interior dominance will prove too much in the end, but the Bulldogs can cover this large spread if they have an exceptional shooting performance.
NCAA Tournament Pick: Bryant +17.5 (-110) at Bet365
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