So this is kind of big news: Michigan State star center Adreian Payne apparently limped off the court during warms-ups and hasn't been back out. Matt Costello will start for the Spartans, and it's doubtful that MSU's best player will see the floor this evening. The scuttlebutt is the injury is a sprained foot, the same one Payne struggled with plantar fasciitis with.
Certainly you'd love to see your opposition at full strength, but in an environment as hard to win in as the Breslin Center, you won't exactly be hard pressed to take any breaks you can get either. And let's not kid ourselves: this isn't the last time these two teams will see each other.
That said, the Bucks are 6-point underdogs for a reason. Despite having the better record of the two, the 2013-2014 Spartans are much more battle tested and possess a far better resume to this point. CBS Sports' Jerry Palm has Michigan State presently as a one seed while he projects the Buckeyes as a two. OSU's been waiting for their dare to be great moment. It's here.
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES | | MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS |

| @ | 
|
15-0 | #3 AP / #3 Coaches | 13-1 | #5 AP / #4 Coaches |
POSSIBLE STARTERS |
Aaron Craft | G | Keith Appling |
Shannon Scott | G | Gary Harris |
Lenzelle Smith Jr. | G | Denzel Valentine |
LaQuinton Ross | F/G | Branden Dawson |
Amir Williams | F | Matt Costello |
Date: | January 7, 2014 | Location: | East Lansing, MI |
Time: | 9:00 p.m. ET | Arena: | Breslin Center |
TV: | ESPN - Time Warner Columbus/Delaware 1301 HD/31 SD, WOW! 211 HD/33 SD, DirecTV 206, DISH 140 | Spread: | -6 |
Radio: | WBNS FM-97.1 AM-1460 | Over/Under: | 134 |
Internet: | WatchESPN | SBN Affiliate: | The Only Colors |
Well, that escalated quickly... |