NCAA Elite Eight pick: All signs point to Michigan State over Duke

Matchups do not get much juicier than Michigan State hooking up with Duke for a chance to go to the Final Four. Though Duke is the overall No. 1 seed, the Spartans are the team you should look at in this clash (5:05 p.m., CBS).

The Blue Devils rank dead last in team 3-point shooting among all teams that made the NCAA Tournament, and that includes all the teams that were in the play-in games. Michigan State, meanwhile, is 23rd in the nation in that category and have many other edges.

The Spartans rank seventh in the country in rebound rate and Duke is 26th. Michigan State passes the ball significantly better as well, averaging the most assists per possession in the country, while Duke comes in at 39th in that regard.

There are few times were you can find an angle in which Mike Krzyzewski might not be the superior coach, but the track record of Tom Izzo is uncanny. He has led every senior class he has ever coached to at least one Elite Eight. If this team does not make the Final Four, it would be just his second senior class in his tenure at Michigan State to fall short of that round.

Duke got two fortunate breaks just to get to this spot, but this is where the run ends for the Blue Devils due to both the efficiency and tempo Michigan State has in its offense.

The play: Michigan State moneyline (+110).