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Cleaves key to Spartans' chances

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Posted: Wednesday March 24, 1999 03:38 PM

On December 2, Duke defeated Michigan State 73-67 in the Great Eight, and while four months is an eternity during a college basketball season, that game provides a blueprint for the Spartans as they seek to upset Duke on Saturday. Michigan State dominated the boards in that game by a 41-25 margin, including 25-5 on the offensive glass.

In fact, coach Mike Krzyzewski was so displeased with Elton Brand's play that he yanked Brand from the starting lineup for the next three games. Brand is a much better player now than he was then, but rebounding is still a potential weakness for the Blue Devils.

Temple and Duke were dead even on the boards in the East regional final, and the Owls grabbed 18 offensive rebounds. Back in December, the Spartans' Mateen Cleaves shot 3 for 17 from the floor against Duke. On Saturday, if Michigan State can maintain its rebounding advantage inside, and if Cleaves can play a more efficient game from the perimeter, don't be surprised to see the Spartans hanging right with Duke going into the last five minutes.

Potential reunion

William Avery and Ricky Moore won a state championship together when they were high school teammates in Augusta, Georgia. If Duke and UConn meet in the championship game on Monday night, those two will comprise the pivotal matchup.

Avery has become a star this season for the Blue Devils, so much so that some NBA scouts are saying he would be the second guard chosen if he were to enter this year's NBA draft. But Avery has yet to face an on-the-ball defender like Moore, who frustrated Gonzaga's Matt Santangelo into a one-for-nine shooting performance in the West regional final. Moore doesn't score a lot of points, but he has a knack for knocking down jumpers at critical moments, and as the only senior in UConn's starting lineup, he provides indispensable leadership.

Duke would have a significant advantage over UConn up front, so if those two teams do meet Monday night, the Huskies' chances of winning will be greatly enhanced if Moore can win the battle against his old high school teammate.

Sports Illustrated writer-reporter Seth Davis covers the college basketball beat and appears regularly on CNN/Sports Illustrated.

 

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