Michigan State is the last B10 team standing. But if they wanna stay on their feet, they’re gonna have to get past Sherron Collins and the Baby Jayhawks. Here’s the breakdown:

Point Guard

This is clearly the premiere matchup in this contest. Sherron Collins is playing better than any other guard in the tourney. In the first two rounds he’s averaging 28.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5 assists, and he’s shooting over 50% from the field. Meanwhile, the Big Ten’s player of the year Kalin Lucas has looked somewhat less impressive. He has yet to break the 13 point mark in the Spartans’ first two games, and his assist numbers are also down a tick. I like Lucas a lot, but I fully expect Sherron to tear that ass up.    Advantage: Jayhawks

Shooting Guard

Tyshawn Taylor has been absolutely M.I.A. up to this point in the tourney. So far he’s logged more turnovers than field-goals. On the flip side Michigan State’s 2-guard Travis Walton’s performance against USC is the biggest reason the Spartans are in the round of 16. Kansas’ Taylor has been so ineffective I’d be surprised if Izzo wastes the Big Ten’s reigning defensive player of the year on him. Expect to see Walton defending Collins.    Advantage: Spartans

Small Forward

Has anyone seen Raymar Morgan? Anyone? Since he came down with that strange case of walking pneumonia, mono, or whatever he had, he hasn’t been the same since. You know that B10 P.O.Y. award Lucas walked away with? That would have been Raymar’s had he stayed healthy. Kansas hasn’t gotten much out of the small forward position either. Brady Morningstar completely flat-lined in Kansas’ last contest against Dayton, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 turnovers, in 32 mins played. Still though you gotta like Raymar in this matchup, if only by the skin of his ass. Advantage: Spartans

Power Forward

Delvon Roe versus Marcus Morris is another boring zero-sum matchup in this game, neither player brings much to the stat line, but Roe is a better defensive player and shot-blocker. Advantage: Spartans

Center

Despite the fact that he went 1-10 from the field in the USC game, Goran Suton is playing at an fairly high level right now. And was arguably the best big man in the B10 during the second half of the season. That being said, Cole Aldrich is arguably the best center in the country right now. He’s the leading rebounder in the tournament right now (16.5), and he posted a triple-double his last time out (13 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 blocks). This might even be a better matchup than Lucas Collins.               Advantage: Jayhawks

Bench

Kind of a tossup. Both teams are using an eight man rotation and none of the bench players (with the exception of Durrell Summers) is contributing consistently. Advantage Draw

Prediction: I actually think the Jayhawks are the more talented team. They’re just too young and inexperienced to knock of a veteran team like MSU. That being said I thought they were too young and inexperienced to win the Big 12. Pick: Michigan State