Michigan State prepped for battle with LSU

WASHINGTON (AP) — The NCAA Tournament had a superb point guard duel in the opening round between Murray State’s Ja Morant and Marquette’s Markus Howard.

Another one comes Friday in the East Region, when LSU’s Tremont Waters squares off against Michigan State’s Cassius Winston City.

Winston was the Big Ten player of the year, averages 18.9 points per game and was third nationally with 7.5 assists.

Waters was the SEC co-defensive player of the year after finishing third nationally with 2.97 steals per game. He averages 15 points and 5.9 assists per game. He also hit the winning shot with 1.6 seconds left to lift the Tigers over Maryland in their NCAA opener.

Winston says the teams play to go against the best, but he can’t get caught up in an individual matchup.

The teams battle tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET in Washington, D.C.