Can Spartans Win It? 7 Predictions

No question about who to root for in Saturday evening's first NCAA Tournament game, so that leaves just two things to determine:

Where to watch?
What's the chance MSU can beat Duke and win again Monday night?

The answer depends on who you ask (in both cases, but we'll just focus on No. 2.) Here are seven views posted Monday:

► Rod Beard, The Detroit News: "They've had more talent than their opponents in each of the first four [tournament] games. That won't be the case [now]. . . . They'll come up short."

► Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press: "My head says there is no way MSU can win the national championship. . . . It's not probable, it's not logical, it's not likely, but it's possible."

► Matt Fitzgerald, Bleacher Report: "Duke looks like a fairly safe pick, thanks to its superior talent compared to Michigan State. But the Spartans have made those who counted them out as a seventh seed look rather silly so far. . . . Izzo's track record can't be ignored."

► David Purdum, ESPN: "Michigan State opened as a 4.5-point underdog against Duke at most [Las Vegas sports betting] books."

► Randy Chambers, Sports Chat Place: "I've been riding Michigan State for much of the season and aren't as surprised as others that the Spartans have made it this far. However, Duke is flat out playing at another level and seems poised to make an honest run towards another title. MSU and the points are tempting, but I think Duke takes this game. . . . There's just no answer for the amount of offensive weapons Duke has."

► Bob Wojnowski, The Detroit News: "The easy answer is no, but the true answer is, it's not impossible to picture. . . . It's improbable, but no longer impossible."

► Drew Sharp, Detroit Free Press: "They won't, because they get Duke in the national semifinals. Everyone thinks Tom Izzo has become college coaching's Superman with his record 13 NCAA tournament victories as the lower seed, but Mike Krzyzewski is his Kryptonite."