Some hope for Spartan fans heading into the Louisville matchup:

I’ve heard several college basketball analysts call this a bad matchup for Michigan State for a couple of reasons that I dispute: style of play and home court advantage. As for style of play, the theory goes that Louisville is a pressing, trapping type of team and Michigan State commits a lot of turnovers and thus is particularly susceptible. Exhibit A is the way MSU struggled against Memphis last year.

Well, maybe that’s right. But here, at least, is an alternate take: MSU has good ball-handlers and great depth, two characteristics it was lacking last season that should help against a press. From what I can tell, State’s propensity for turnovers can be traced more to sloppiness — and not by the top ball-handlers — than bad handles. I think Kalin Lucas & Co. have what it takes to break a press. The thing to avoid is having our sketchier decision-makers in the backcourt on the pressbreak, and for that reason I expect to see Korie Lucious taking a chunk of minutes away from Chris Allen. Travis Walton is another key, because he’s not a great ballhandler or ballhandling decision-maker, but he will be on the floor and need to display some senior smarts. Looking back to the Memphis debacle last year, I think a year of experience for Kalin Lucas will make a big difference — that’s a tough spot for a freshman PG. (But that also means we shouldn’t expect a flawless performance from Korie Lucious.)

As for Louisville’s homecourt advantage, again, maybe. But Indianapolis is squarely in Big Ten country, and I suspect State will be well represented, too.

Of course, the analysts are also talking about Louisville’s superior athleticism, and that could be an issue. Also, the Cards can shoot the 3-ball, and State’s off-and-on perimeter defense will have to show up. So, you know, I’m still nervous.