Sports Sunday Thread #1 For 3/28/10: It's Set!

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Duke and Michigan State had the Final Four pedigree that both Tennessee and Baylor wanted.

Unfortunately for them, the two traditional powers didn't want to give that to them. And they didn't.

In the second contest this afternoon, timely offensive rebounding and clutch three point shooting from gunners Nolan Smith and John Scheyer was the difference, as the Blue Devils advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 2004 by winning 78-71 win over the Bears.

2nd chance opportunities were front and center were unquestionably enormous in Reliant Stadium, as Baylor center Josh Bowers 4th foul back in the incipient stages of the second half tipped the balance for Duke to get crucial rebounds for devastating threes.

The final result was even closer in the first game today, as Michigan State returns to the Final Four for another time with a thrilling 70-69 won over Tennessee. Despite not having the services of their best player, all-America point guard Kalin Lucas, Tom Izzo showed why he will be in the Hall of Fame soon by getting the best out of Raymond Morgan, Corey Luscious, and the rest of his much maligned Big 10 team to slightly be the victors over Bruce Pearl's courageous side.

They join both West Virginia and home town favorite Butler in the National Semifinals next week at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday.

The Mountaineers will be looked at as the favorites for the form they have showed throughout the last two weeks. But this title is certainly wide open.

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