Michigan State Spartans and North Carolina Tar Heels, two of the top college basketball programs, will meet on Wednesday for the third-place game at the Maui Invitational. While neither team made it to the championship game in a tournament featuring four top-10 teams, both the Spartans (5-2) and the Tar Heels (4-2) still have the opportunity to leave the island with a winning record and a trophy to show for their efforts.
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The Road to the Third-Place Game
North Carolina: Comeback Effort Falls Short
North Carolina entered the Maui Invitational with high confidence after their dramatic comeback victory over Dayton on Monday. Trailing by 21 points, the Tar Heels mounted a stunning rally to win 92-90, with RJ Davis leading the charge, scoring 30 points.
However, that resilience couldn’t be replicated in their semifinal against Auburn. Once again, North Carolina found themselves trailing by double digits, down by 15 points at one point in the first half. Despite a late push to cut the lead to just four before halftime, the Tar Heels couldn’t sustain the momentum in the second half. Auburn, led by Johni Broome’s 23 points and 19 rebounds, cruised to a 85-72 win, sending North Carolina to the third-place matchup.
“To play well, we need to stay in the trenches… those gritty plays,” said head coach Hubert Davis after the loss to Auburn. “We had some spurts, but the next step for us is to do that for a full 40 minutes.”
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Michigan State: Missed Opportunities Against Memphis
Michigan State also faced a tough semifinal challenge against Memphis. The Spartans kept the game close for most of the first half but allowed a critical 11-0 run midway through the second half, ultimately falling 71-63.
Freshman Jase Richardson stood out for Michigan State, coming off the bench to score 18 points, including three successful three-pointers. This was the highest scoring game of his career, following up his 13-point performance in the Spartans’ win over Colorado on Monday. However, Richardson and the Spartans struggled at the free-throw line, making just 12 of 19 attempts, leaving valuable points on the table.
“Jase did some really good things. He’s frustrated with himself for missing those free throws, but that’s just part of the game,” said Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo. “For a guy with his limited experience in college so far, I thought he played really well.”
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A Highly Anticipated Rematch
This third-place game will serve as a rematch of the second-round NCAA Tournament game between Michigan State and North Carolina last March, where the Tar Heels emerged victorious, 85-69. In that game, RJ Davis led North Carolina with 20 points, while Jaden Akins was Michigan State’s top scorer with 11 points.
RJ Davis remains a key player for North Carolina this season. After his explosive 30-point performance against Dayton, he had a quieter game against Auburn, finishing with just 12 points, the lowest of the season. Seth Trimble, who scored 27 points in the Dayton win, was the bright spot for the Tar Heels with 17 points against Auburn.
For Michigan State, Jaden Akins continues to be a vital offensive weapon. After scoring 12 points in the loss to Memphis, Akins will be looking to lead the Spartans in this crucial third-place matchup.
Key Factors in the Game
1. Strong Start is Key
Both North Carolina and Michigan State have struggled to find their rhythm at the start of games, often falling behind early. The team that can set the tone from the opening whistle will have the advantage.
2. Capitalizing at the Free-Throw Line
Michigan State needs to improve its free-throw shooting if they want to overcome North Carolina. The Spartans left valuable points on the line in the semifinal, and they cannot afford to make the same mistake again in this game.
3. Controlling the Boards
Auburn exploited North Carolina’s weakness on the boards, with Broome grabbing 19 rebounds. Michigan State will look to do the same, taking advantage of any opportunities to dominate the glass and limit second-chance points for the Tar Heels.
Looking Ahead and Importance of the Game
Although neither team made it to the final, this third-place game still carries significance. A win will give either Michigan State or North Carolina a 2-1 record in the tournament and boost their confidence heading into the regular season.
North Carolina will hope for a bounce-back performance from RJ Davis, who had an off night against Auburn, while Michigan State will rely on the continued growth of their freshmen, especially Jase Richardson, to lead them to victory.
Conclusion
The game between Michigan State and No. 12 North Carolina at the Maui Invitational promises to be an exciting and closely contested battle. While both teams have faced setbacks in the tournament, this game provides an opportunity for them to finish strong and head into the rest of the season with confidence.
Who will come out on top and leave Hawaii with a win? We’ll find out soon enough!
