NCAA Tournament Bracket 2012, Michigan State Vs. LIU Brooklyn Score: Spartans Win, 89-67

On a day filled with upsets, Michigan State played like it did not want to be another giant felled by an upstart seeded near the bottom of the bracket. The No. 1 Spartans left little doubt, beating LIU Brooklyn by a final score of 89-67.

Michigan State was particularly tough on the boards. They had 42 rebounds to just 19 for the Blackbirds.

The Spartans shot almost 59 percent from the floor. Leading the way was Draymond Green with a triple-double. He finished the game with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Four other players finished in double digits for scoring.

The Spartans will play Saint Louis University in the third round of the tournament on Sunday.

You can find more about the Michigan State Spartans at The Only Colors. For more coverage of the 2012 NCAA tournament, visit SB Nation Detroit's StoryStream. Also, make sure to check out SB Nation's NCAA tournament hub and our printable NCAA tournament bracket.

Michigan State Vs. LIU Brooklyn Score Update: Spartans Enter Halftime Leading 42-37

The second day of the round of 64 is nearing its end. After a full day of upsets and thrilling finishes on Friday, one of the nightcaps features the Michigan State Spartans taking their No. 1 seed into a game against the No. 16 LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds. Entering halftime, the Spartans lead, 42-37.

The Spartans took an early lead, but perhaps didn't play quite as dominating as they would have liked in the first half. Both teams scored plenty of points in the first half and MSU went up by nine in the final minutes.

The Spartans are doing a fine job of passing the ball around and scoring from multiple angles. Draymond Green is leading scorers with nine points.

If you wanted to listen to the live, streaming audio for this game, Dial Global Sports has you covered.

For complete, up-to-the-minute NCAA tournament score updates, check out SI.com's full scoreboard.

You can find more about the Michigan State Spartans at The Only Colors. For more coverage of the 2012 NCAA tournament, visit SB Nation Detroit's StoryStream. Also, make sure to check out SB Nation's NCAA tournament hub and our printable NCAA tournament bracket.

March Madness 2012, Michigan State Vs. LIU Brooklyn: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

No No. 1 seed has ever fallen to a No. 16 seed in NCAA tournament history, though Syracuse tried their hardest to become the first on Thursday against UNC Asheville, so the Michigan State Spartans should have absolutely no trouble dispatching the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds on Friday.

The Blackbirds have a very good shooter in Julian Boyd (17.6 PPG), but past that their offense and defense are lacking much quality. Contrast that with the deep offense that the Spartans have that includes Draymond Green and the confidence-filled Brandon Wood and there's not too much of an opening for an LIU-Brooklyn upset.

Michigan State also has one of the best defenses in the league, problematic for a Blackbirds team that turned the ball over 16 times per game in the regular season. The best they can probably do is try their hardest to keep it close so the Spartans can't run away with it.

Game time: Approx. 9:20 p.m. ET

TV: TBS

Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH

You can find more about the Michigan State Spartans at The Only Colors. For more coverage of the 2012 NCAA tournament, visit SB Nation Detroit's StoryStream. Also, make sure to check out SB Nation's NCAA tournament hub and our printable NCAA tournament bracket.

NCAA Bracket 2012 Reactions: Michigan State Faces Tough Road To Final Four

Although Michigan State did draw a No. 1 seed in the 2012 NCAA tournament, the Spartans don't have an easy road to the Final Four by any means. In fact, it seems that Michigan State falling to Memphis in the round of 32 is a pretty popular upset pick among some of the so-called experts.

If Michigan State does get past the third round (and Memphis or Saint Louis), the challenges won't stop. The Spartans could be facing a Sweet 16 matchup against Louisville and then a potential game against Missouri in the Elite Eight. SB Nation's Chris Dobbertean explained why this makes for such a tough road to the Final Four for the Spartans.

Michigan State will be challenged to make it to the Final Four out of this region, not only because of that possible game with Memphis on Sunday, but because of the possibility of facing a Missouri team that wants to prove it belongs among the elite in a Regional Final. Of course to get there, several quality backcourts (Virginia, Florida, Marquette) stand in the Tigers' way. On the other side of the bracket, the Spartans may very well have to get past rising Louisville to make the round of eight. There's nothing quite like a Tom Izzo vs. Rick Pitino March matchup.

Given the makeup of Michigan State's team, I think the Spartans are up for the challenge. I don't see them laying down for anybody, and it would be surprising to me if they don't make the Final Four.

For more on Michigan State, visit The Only Colors. For more coverage of the Spartans in the 2012 NCAA tournament, visit SB Nation Detroit's StoryStream. Click here for a link to our NCAA bracket 2012.

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2012 NCAA Tournament Schedule: Michigan State Vs. LIU Brooklyn Game Time, TV Schedule And More

Michigan State started the season unranked, but now the Spartans head into the 2012 NCAA tournament with the No. 1 seed in the West Region. They earned it after beating Ohio State in the 2012 Big Ten tournament championship game and now will turn their attention to LIU Brooklyn, their opponent on Friday night in Columbus.

Here are the details on Michigan State's opening game:

Matchup: No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 16 LIU Brooklyn

Game date/time: Friday, March 16, 9:20 p.m. ET (approximate)

Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH

TV: TBS

Announcers: Tim Brando and Mike Gminski (Otis Livingston on the sideline)

For more on Michigan State, visit The Only Colors. For more coverage of the Spartans in the 2012 NCAA tournament, visit SB Nation Detroit's StoryStream. Click here for a link to our NCAA bracket 2012.

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March Madness Bracket 2012: Michigan State To Play LIU Brooklyn In 1st Game

After landing a No. 1 seed in the 2012 NCAA tournament, Michigan State is set to face LIU Brooklyn, the No. 16 seed in the West Region, in its first game. The Spartans and LIU Brooklyn will meet on Friday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.

Michigan State made the Big Dance after getting an automatic bid for winning the 2012 Big Ten tournament. The Spartans beat Ohio State in a thrilling championship game, which gives them a lot of momentum heading into the Big Dance.

LIU Brooklyn made it to the Big Dance by winning the Northeast tournament. The Blackbirds beat Robert Morris in the championship and finished with a 25-8 record.

Here's a look at the West Region of the 2012 NCAA tournament bracket:

No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 16 LIU Brooklyn (Friday)

No. 8 Memphis vs. No. 9 Saint Louis (Friday)

No. 5 New Mexico vs. No. 12 Long Beach State (Thursday)

No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 13 Davidson (Thursday)

No. 2 Missouri vs. No. 15 Norfolk State (Friday)

No. 7 Florida vs. No. 10 Virginia (Friday)

No. 3 Marquette vs. No. 14 BYU OR Iona (Thursday)

No. 6 Murray State vs. No. 11 Colorado State (Thursday)

For more on Michigan State, visit The Only Colors. For more coverage of the Spartans in the 2012 NCAA tournament, visit SB Nation Detroit's StoryStream. Click here for a link to our NCAA bracket 2012.

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NCAA Bracket 2012: Michigan State Lands In West Region

The 2012 NCAA tournament bracket has been unveiled. It has been revealed that the Michigan State Spartans are in the West Region as the No. 1 seed. The Spartans will take on LIU Brooklyn, the No. 16 seed in the West Region. That game will take place on Friday in Columbus.

This is the 15th straight year that Michigan State has been selected to the NCAA tournament. There was a bit of a scare last year with MSU having a rough season and landing on the bubble, but this year the Spartans are back to being contenders for the third national title in their program's history.

Here's a look at the West Region of the 2012 NCAA tournament bracket:

No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 16 LIU Brooklyn (Friday)

No. 8 Memphis vs. No. 9 Saint Louis (Friday)

No. 5 New Mexico vs. No. 12 Long Beach State (Thursday)

No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 13 Davidson (Thursday)

No. 2 Missouri vs. No. 15 Norfolk State (Friday)

No. 7 Florida vs. No. 10 Virginia (Friday)

No. 3 Marquette vs. No. 14 BYU OR Iona (Thursday)

No. 6 Murray State vs. No. 11 Colorado State (Thursday)

For more on Michigan State, visit The Only Colors. For more coverage of the Spartans in the 2012 NCAA tournament, visit SB Nation Detroit's StoryStream. Click here for a link to our NCAA bracket 2012.

Brackets on the brain? Us too! Play Yahoo! Tourney Pick’em and be a part of the craziest month of college basketball. It is fun, easy and free.

NCAA Tournament Bracket 2012: Michigan State Lands In Columbus Pod

Michigan State has landed in one of the Columbus pods for the 2012 NCAA tournament. There, as the No. 1 seed in the West Region, Michigan State will take on 16th-seeded LIU Brooklyn on Friday. Also that day, Memphis will play Saint Louis. If the Spartans win their game, they will take on the winner of the Memphis-Saint Louis game.

Here's a look at the West Region of the 2012 NCAA tournament bracket:

No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 16 LIU Brooklyn (Friday)

No. 8 Memphis vs. No. 9 Saint Louis (Friday)

No. 5 New Mexico vs. No. 12 Long Beach State (Thursday)

No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 13 Davidson (Thursday)

No. 2 Missouri vs. No. 15 Norfolk State (Friday)

No. 7 Florida vs. No. 10 Virginia (Friday)

No. 3 Marquette vs. No. 14 BYU OR Iona (Thursday)

No. 6 Murray State vs. No. 11 Colorado State (Thursday)

For more on Michigan State, visit The Only Colors. For more coverage of the Spartans in the 2012 NCAA tournament, visit SB Nation Detroit's StoryStream. Click here for a link to our NCAA bracket 2012.

Brackets on the brain? Us too! Play Yahoo! Tourney Pick’em and be a part of the craziest month of college basketball. It is fun, easy and free.

NCAA Tournament 2012 Bracket Update: Michigan State Is No. 1 Seed, Will Face LIU Brooklyn On Friday

Michigan State has earned a No. 1 seed in the 2012 NCAA tournament and will face LIU Brooklyn in its first game.