UConn and Michigan State meet in a Sweet 16 matchup on Friday between blue bloods with legendary coaches.
Tom Izzo and Dan Hurley’s clubs couldn’t be rated any closer, ranking 9th and 10th overall, respectively, by KenPom coming into the game.
Oddsmakers bear that out, essentially pegging this game as a toss-up with the Huskies favored by 1.5 points for this game in Washington, D.C.
If UConn wants to make another Elite Eight appearance, it’ll need to lean heavily on one of its steadiest veterans, Alex Karaban, who appears to be having a mini-breakout during this tournament run.
Karaban has had two of the best games of his college career during March Madness this year, dropping 22 points against Furman in the Round of 64 before erupting for a career-high 27 against UCLA.
He took exactly 16 shots in both games, which is the second-most he’s had in a game this season, suggesting that either Karaban or the team as a whole is looking to get him more involved in the offense.
Karaban’s production from deep has been particularly impressive, hitting four baskets from behind the line in each contest.
The Spartans have been the 13th-best defense in college basketball this season, but Karaban has shown he can still fill it up against the top opponents.
In three games against St. John’s this season, Karaban averaged 13.7 points.
Against Texas and Florida in the non-conference slate, he dropped 18 and 13 points, respectively.
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Oddsmakers still aren’t expecting much from Karaban on Friday, despite this, setting his Over/Under at just 12.5 points.
Bet on Karaban’s leap being real.
The play: Alex Karaban Over 12.5 points (+100, FanDuel Sportsbook)
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Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
