The Long Island Blackbirds are going to have a mountain to climb if they want to be the first ever No. 16 seed to upset a one seed -- though UNC-Asheville came agonizingly close to doing so on Thursday against Syracuse -- in the NCAA tournament as they face the strong Michigan State Spartans on Friday in Columbus.
Draymond Green and the Spartans offense may have had fewer average points per game than the Blackbirds, but the Spartans are a good defensive team and the Blackbirds have turned the ball over 16 times per game on average during the year. The fact that the Spartans allowed almost 20 points fewer per game than Long Island doesn't bode well.
The Blackbirds will need to be led by Julian Boyd, whose 17.6 average points per game were tops in the NEC. Past an amazing three point shooting display or sudden defensive collapse from Michigan State though, it's probably a tall order to hope for an upset from Long Island.
Game Time: Approx. 9:20 p.m. ET
TV: TBS
Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
You can find more about the Michigan State Spartans at The Only Colors. For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket stick with SB Nation's NCAA Tournament hub for a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on every March Madness game.
