Michigan State Iz’ the call

CLEVELAND — Mike Krzyzewski, Rick Pitino and Tom Izzo have made 32 Elite Eights combined, but one of these legendary coaches will be watching from home this weekend.

Michigan State (2) over Oklahoma: Whatever Izzo does works, allowing his team to defy expectations again when it matters most. Michigan State has played seven different teams that reached the tournament since March began and only lost to No. 1seed Wisconsin, led by senior Travis Trice, who is averaging 19 points while shooting over 46 percent on 3pointers in the first two games of the tournament.

Gonzaga (8 ½) over Ucla: This year finally feels like the year for Mark Few to reach the Final Four, with the Zags’ offense too consistent to be slowed before Indianapolis. The regular season’s top shooting team has been even better in the tournament, hitting better than 56 percent from the field. The Bruins shot over 47 percent from the perimeter in the teams’ meeting in December and still lost by 13 at home.

Utah (+5) over Duke: Jahlil Okafor has earned the barrels of ink of praise, but Utah guard Delon Wright also will be playing in the NBA next season, a senior guard who all Blue Devils fans will remember after this game. Duke should still come out on top.

N.C. State (+3) over Louisville: I believe in Pitino, perhaps the best college basketball coach of his generation, but I don’t believe a Cardinals team so unreliable on offense can survive against the Wolfpack. 2015 record: 2725 201114 record: 106675

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