NCAA Tournament 2012 Bracket Update: Michigan State Beats Saint Louis, 65-61, Advances To Sweet 16

For the 10th time in the Tom Izzo era of Michigan State basketball, the Spartans are headed to the Sweet 16. They outlasted Saint Louis on Sunday afternoon in a slugfest in Columbus. Michigan State was in control for most of the game, but Saint Louis battled back from 11 down in the second half to make things close. In the end, the Spartans held off the comeback and won by a score of 65-61.

This was like watching a Big Ten game in January with how much of a defensive struggle it was. Saint Louis shot a dismal 18-of-51 from the field and only 28 percent from three-point land. Michigan State was significantly better with a 54.3 shooting percentage from the field, but at times the Spartans had some shooting issues of their own.

The main reason Saint Louis was even in this game at the end was because they went to the free-throw line 23 times. They made 18 of the attempts, including several during their comeback from down 11 points.

When it mattered most, Draymond Green stepped up and made plays for Michigan State to ensure a trip to the Sweet 16 would happen. He scored 16 points and made a big jumper when Saint Louis cut the lead to two points. Keith Appling then hit a clutch three to stretch the lead, and he finished with a game-high 19 points.

With the victory, Michigan State is now headed to the Sweet 16 out in Phoenix. The Spartans will take on the Louisville Cardinals, which beat New Mexico on Saturday to advance. When Michigan State made its run to the Final Four in 2009, it beat Louisville in the Elite Eight. This year, the Spartans will need to eliminate Louisville in the Sweet 16 in order to have a shot at making it back to the Final Four.

You can find more on 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.

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Michigan State Vs. Saint Louis Score Update: Spartans Hold 26-21 Lead At Halftime

It was an ugly first half in Columbus between Michigan State and Saint Louis. Both teams struggled to shoot the ball well, although the Spartans didn't struggle nearly as much as the Billikens. Because of that, Michigan State holds a 26-21 lead at halftime.

Michigan State is currently shooting 48 percent from the field. No one player has really stood out too much in terms of scoring. The distribution is pretty even, although Brandon Wood does lead the Spartans with eight points.

For Saint Louis, the distribution has also been pretty even, mainly because everybody is having a tough day shooting the ball. As a team, the Billikens are a dismal 5-of-21 from the field and 2-of-11 from three-point land. Rob Loe and Jordair Jett are leading Saint Louis in scoring with five points each.

If Michigan State can maintain its lead for 20 more minutes, it will advance to the Sweet 16 in Phoenix. The Spartans would be matched up against Louisville with a victory, as the Cardinals beat New Mexico on Saturday to clinch a trip to the Sweet 16.

You can find more on 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.

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NCAA Tournament 2012, Michigan State Vs. Saint Louis: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

The West Region's No. 1-seeded Michigan State Spartans will go for their 10th Sweet 16 appearance under head coach Tom Izzo on Sunday in Columbus when they take on the No. 9-seeded Saint Louis Billikens. The winner will take on either Louisville or New Mexico in Phoenix next Thursday.

The Spartans beat No. 16 LIU Brooklyn on Friday night in a rather uneventful 89-67 win to advance to their 11th trip to the round of 32 under Izzo and 20th overall in the history of the program. Draymond Green did have a triple-double in the game, though, joining former Spartan Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson as the only players to have more than one triple-double in the tournament.

Saint Louis enters just their sixth round of 32 after beating No. 8 Memphis, 61-54. It is the Billikens' first round of 32 game since 1998 when they lost to the ultimate champions, the Kentucky Wildcats. Saint Louis hasn't been to the Sweet 16 since 1957 and they only have one Elite 8 appearance, in which they lost to Kansas.

Here's everything you need to know for Sunday's game:

Game Time: approximately 2:45 p.m. ET (after the conclusion of the Georgetown-North Carolina State game)

TV: CBS

Announcers: Tim Brando and Mike Gminski with Otis Livingston reporting

You can find more on 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.

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NCAA Tournament 2012 Schedule: Game Time Set For Michigan State Vs. Saint Louis

No. 1 Michigan State will face No. 9 Saint Louis on Sunday afternoon with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line.

NCAA Tournament Bracket 2012: Saint Louis Advances, Could Play Michigan State

The Michigan State Spartans now know who their next opponent will be in the 2012 NCAA tournament if they get past LIU Brooklyn on Friday night. The Saint Louis Billikens took care of business in the 8/9 game against the Memphis Tigers to move on with a 61-54 win.

The Billikens got 22 points from Kwamain Mitchell and 16 from Brian Conklin as they broke out of a 23-23 halftime tie to move on to the next round. Memphis had 16 from Will Barton but shot only 38.9% on the night. Barton was the only player in double figures for the Tigers.

St. Louis is now 26-7 on the season.

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.