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2019 NCAA Tournament: 5 best potential match-ups in the East Region

By Presley Meyer

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 27: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 27: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 27: Dwayne Sutton #24 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball during the 82-78 OT win over the Michigan State Spartans at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 27: Dwayne Sutton #24 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball during the 82-78 OT win over the Michigan State Spartans at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

(7) Louisville vs (2) Michigan State

If Louisville gets past a tough match-up against Richard Pitino and Minnesota, a Michigan State team that they have already beaten likely awaits them.

It feels like eons ago, but Chris Mack’s first signature win at Louisville came early in the 2018-19 season in an overtime thriller at home against Sparty. Louisville pulled the upset behind a spectacular game from shooting specialist Ryan McMahon.

The rematch would pit a Louisville team that would figure to have a favorable match-up stylistically against a Michigan State team who continues to will it’s way to wins through a slew of injuries to key players. In the first match-up, MSU was without Matt McQuaid- who propelled his squad with 7 threes in the Big Ten Championship.

Now MSU must contend with trying to make a run without key sixth man Kyle Ahrens and stud guard Joshua Langford. Big man Nick Ward is still fresh off of an injury, but the Spartans really have no other options inside.

Every match-up Michigan State has in the tournament will be fascinating because they are likely to play each of their starters 30+ minutes. Louisville would have a shot, but the Cardinals still need to exorcise some of their own demons in late-game situations.

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