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The Michigan State vs. Duke betting line for the 2015 Final Four opened at Blue Devils -4.5.
"I'd like to tell you that I thought five different times this year that we were good enough to get to a Final Four, but I'd be lying to you," said MSU coach Tom Izzo, who described this as the best of seven regional final victories he has enjoyed. "But I think the burning desire to be in this Final Four, and they didn't want to be a group that didn't make it. I think it was more of the battle cry all year long."
It's the ninth Final Four appearance for the Spartans and the first since 2010, when they lost 52-50 to Butler in the national semifinals. Izzo has led them to seven Final Fours, including the 2000 national championship.
Michigan State scored 23 transition points, more than Louisville had allowed in its first three games of the 2015 NCAA Tournament combined (22). The Spartans entered the game averaging 16.3 transition points per game, fourth most in the Big Ten.
The Blue Devils and their trio of freshmen starters are going to their 16th Final Four, a record-matching 12th for coach Mike Krzyzewski, after a 66-52 win Sunday in the South Regional over Gonzaga.
When Mike Krzyzewski and Tom Izzo meet in Indianapolis, it will be the most combined NCAA Tournament games coached in a single matchup in NCAA Tournament history with 174.
Mike Krzyzewski has made 12 Final Fours, tied with John Wooden for the most by any coach.
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
