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Posted: Sunday April 02, 2000 03:56 PM

No. 5 Florida (29-7) vs. No. 1 Michigan State (31-7)

By Tim Crothers, Sports Illustrated

Michigan State will win if: The Spartans can make the Gators pay the price when their press fails. MSU can be devastating in transition and should try to convert easy baskets when it has the numbers, yet be careful not to force the issue. Ultimately Michigan State benefits from a patient halfcourt game that doesn't allow the Gators into their helter-skelter comfort zone. The gritty Spartans, who have only been outrebounded twice this season, must continue to crash the offensive boards while still getting back on defense to thwart Florida's running game. The Gators' defense will try to smother Morris Peterson so secondary scorers A.J. Granger and Charlie Bell need to produce more than the combined five points they scored against Wisconsin.

Scouting Reports Sports Illustrated asked coaches and assistants who had to prepare game plans against the Final Four teams to provide scouting reports -- anonymously, if they wished -- on the strengths and weaknesses they saw in the film and on the court. What follows is a digest of their impressions. How to beat Michigan State How to beat Florida

Florida will win if: The Gators' press can harass and wear down Mateen Cleaves. When Cleaves is on the bench the press should really turn up the heat against the Spartans, who never proved they had another competent ballhandler when Cleaves missed the first two months of the season with a foot injury. For the first time in the tournament, the Gators aren't any deeper than their opponent, but their subs have more offensive potential and they need to outscore the Spartans' bench by a wide margin. Mike Miller must rediscover his rhythm after a quiet game against North Carolina and fearless Brett Nelson needs to throw a few more daggers from beyond the arc. Florida needs to score as many easy baskets in transition as possible because its halfcourt offense will often struggle against the MSU's physical defense.

Player to watch: Junior forward Andre Hutson will be the key player for the Spartans, whose only deficiency against Florida could be strength in the lane. Udonis Haslem and Donnell Harvey playing together create a tough matchup for MSU and should Hutson get into foul trouble, Michigan State's inside game could stall and place a huge burden on Peterson to hit his three-pointers.

X factor: Peterson has dedicated this Final Four to the memory of his beloved grandmother, whose funeral he attended on Thursday. He promised her a national title.

Prediction: Michigan State

 

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