Midwest Regional: Senior-laden Valparaiso shoots to upset Michigan State

Valparaiso earned a spot in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2004 with one of the most seasoned teams in college basketball: The 14th-seeded Crusaders start five seniors, two of whom are in their fifth seasons, and their nine-man rotation only has upperclassmen.

Those seniors will be pressed Thursday when they shoot to upset third-seeded Michigan State (25-8) in a Midwest Regional first-round contest in Auburn Hills, Mich.

"Real excited for our seniors," Valparaiso coach Bryce Drew said. "They know this is their first and only NCAA tournament, and I think we're all excited."

"It scares me a little bit," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said of Valparaiso (26-7), whose seniors combined to start 160 games and helped set a school record for wins this season.

The Spartans have some experience of their own: The are in the tournament for a 16th consecutive year.

After rolling through Conference USA, Memphis again faces a skeptical public wondering whether the Tigers have really been tested yet.

Coach Josh Pastner has heard just about enough. He says it's "ridiculous" to suggest the Tigers aren't challenged during the regular season. Of course, the easiest way for Memphis to silence the doubters would be to get a win in the NCAA tournament.

That's a goal that's proved elusive of late. When the sixth-seeded Tigers (30-4) take on 11th-seeded St. Mary's on Thursday, they'll be trying for their first victory in the tournament since 2009, when John Calipari was still their coach. St. Mary's (28-6) advanced to the round of 64 by beating Middle Tennessee in a First Four game Tuesday night.

The Wells Fargo Center will host two games on Friday: Duke (27-5) vs. Albany (24-10) in the opener, and Creighton (27-7) vs. Cincinnati (22-11) in the nightcap.

Second-seeded Duke has said it won't get caught looking ahead in this NCAA tournament.

The Blue Devils have lost their last three postseason games. That includes last year's NCAA shocker against Lehigh - another No. 15 seed - and an upset against Maryland at the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski said he'll remind his players of last year's loss "but you don't belabor" the point before the Blue Devils take on the 15th-seeded Great Danes.

Seventh-seeded Creighton will rely on three-point specialist Ethan Wragge, who is hitting 43.5 percent of his attempts.

The Bluejays are 10-0 when Wragge scores in double figures and are 28-1 the last three seasons when Wragge shoots better than 50 percent from long distance.

Second Round

Thursday in Lexington, Ky.

Louisville (29-5) vs. N.C. A&T (20-16), 6:50 p.m. (TBS)

Colorado State (25-8) vs. Missouri (23-10), 30 minutes following. (TBS)

Thursday in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Michigan State (25-8) vs. Valparaiso (26-7), 12:15 p.m (CBS3)

Memphis (30-4) vs. St. Mary's (Calif.) (28-6), 30 minutes following. (CBS3)

Thursday in San Jose, Calif.

St. Louis (27-6) vs. New Mexico State (24-10), 2:10 p.m. (TNT)

Oklahoma State (24-8) vs. Oregon (26-8), 30 minutes following. (TNT)

Friday in Philadelphia

Duke (27-5) vs. Albany (N.Y.) (24-10), 12:15 p.m. (CBS3)

Creighton (27-7) vs. Cincinnati (22-11), 30 minutes following. (CBS3)

By Keith Glantz and Russell Culver

Favorite Line   Underdog   

THURSDAY

Louisville 26   NC A&T

Missouri 3   Colorado St.

Michigan St. 11   Valparaiso

Memphis 1   St. Mary's (Calif.)

Oklahoma St. 3   Oregon

St. Louis 9   New Mexico St.

FRIDAY

Duke 18   Albany (N.Y.)

Creighton 31/2   Cincinnati

"We know we will be challenged right away in one of the toughest brackets that I've seen in quite some time."

- Louisville coach
Rick Pitino