GAME 2 SCOUTING REP0RT

DUKE STARTING LINEUP

FORWARD, 23, Chris Carawell: 6-6, 220, Jr.

FORWARD, 31, Shane Battler: 6-8, 215, So.

CENTER, 42, Elton Brand: 6-8, 260, So.

GUARD: 5, William Avery: 6-2, 185, So.

GUARD: 21, Trojan Langdon: 6-3, 200, Sr.

About Duke: The Blue Devils were considered the best team beginning the tournament, and their stirring run has reinforced that perception. Duke overwhelmed its four opponents in the East Regional, winning by an average of 30 points. The Blue Devils have won 31 consecutive games since suffering their only defeat, 77-75, Nov. 28 against Cincinnati in the championship game of the Great Alaska Shootout. Center Elton Brand, the consensus national player of the year, is seemingly unstoppable near the basket. The muscular Brand surprises defenders with his quickness--or simply overpowers them. Sharpshooting guards Trajan Langdon and William Avery complement Brand, forming a dizzying inside-outside combination. The reserves also play at a higher level than their counterparts. Freshman swingman Corey Maggette provides support at the front-court positions and shooting guard. Playing behind Brand, center Chris Burgess has not yet emerged as the force some believe he may become. But Burgess is probably better than many starting centers.

DUKE STATISTICS

*--*

Player G Min FG% 3FG% FT% Reb Ast Pts Avg Brand 37 29.0 .618 --- .708 9.6 40 658 17.8 Langdon 34 30.6 .465 .442 .847 3.4 65 590 17.4 Avery 37 30.8 .492 .410 .810 3.5 191 555 15.0 Maggette 37 17.9 .530 .354 .721 4.0 59 397 10.7 Carrawell 37 28.5 .457 .346 .579 4.9 127 364 9.8 Battier 35 23.3 .558 .432 .734 4.9 52 327 9.3 Burgess 37 15.9 .619 .500 .543 4.1 29 212 5.7 James 37 15.1 .453 .288 .662 2.7 34 194 5.2 Domzalski 30 9.9 .534 --- .712 3.0 8 115 3.8 Bryant 13 2.3 .333 .333 .250 0.2 2 8 0.6 Simpson 26 3.1 .125 .000 .571 0.3 4 10 0.4 J.Caldbeck 20 2.5 .300 --- .167 0.6 3 7 0.4 R.Caldbeck 12 1.9 .333 .000 .--- 0.3 0 2 0.2 Heaps 4 2.5 --- --- .--- 0.5 2 0 0.0 Duke 37 .518 .399 .708 42.4 616 3439 92.9 Opponents 37 .388 .302 .668 33.0 444 2480 67.0

*--*

MICHIGAN STATE STARTING LINEUP

FORWARD, 44, Jason Klein: 6-7, 200, Sr.

FORWARD, 34, Andre Hutson: 6-8, 210, So.

CENTER, 13, Antonio Smith: 6-8, 250, Sr.

GUARD: 14, Charlie Bell: 6-3, 185, So.

GUARD: 12, Mateen Cleaves: 6-2, 190, So.

About Michigan State: The Spartans are making their first Final Four appearance since Magic Johnson led them to the 1979 NCAA title over Indiana State and Larry Bird. Coach Tom Izzo has received praise for his handling of the team the last two seasons. The Spartans were seeded No. 1 in the Midwest Regional. Even so, many were surprised when Izzo engineered a 73-66 victory over Kentucky in the regional title game. All-American point guard Mateen Cleaves isn’t as talented as some of his star counterparts, but he sets the tone for the Spartans, who have an .833 winning percentage in his three seasons at East Lansing. That’s the same mark Johnson had during his two seasons at Michigan State. Cleaves does not shoot well, making only 29.6% of his three-point baskets and 41% of his shots overall. But he is an outstanding passer, defender and a positive emotional force. The Spartans play outstanding man-to-man defense, and their consistent offensive rebounding helps them overcome occasional poor shooting. Spartan reserves have outscored their counterparts, 982-553. In fact, forward Morris Peterson, the sixth man, is the leading scorer at 13.5 points a game.

MICHIGAN STATE STATISTICS

*--*

Player G Min FG% 3FG% FT% Reb Ast Pts Avg Peterson 37 23.7 .564 .393 .799 5.6 35 501 13.5 Cleaves 37 31.1 .410 .296 .802 1.6 264 433 11.7 Klein 36 23.3 .414 .338 .766 2.7 36 341 9.5 Hutson 36 25.1 .610 --- .779 5.2 22 316 8.8 Bell 37 22.6 .481 .356 .770 3.9 38 295 8.0 Granger 37 20.7 .539 .512 .714 3.9 22 255 6.9 A.Smith 37 28.9 .539 .000 .462 8.4 41 242 6.5 Kelley 37 15.0 .364 .296 .833 1.1 51 188 5.1 Davis 37 7.5 .391 .371 .476 0.5 42 73 2.0 Ballinger 4 5.5 1.000 --- .000 1.3 1 6 1.5 Guess 13 2.5 .500 .500 --- 0.6 0 11 0.8 Cherry 17 1.6 .400 .000 .500 0.4 2 9 0.5 B.Smith 12 1.8 .250 .000 .500 0.1 2 3 0.3 Michigan St. 37 .477 .344 .736 36.0 556 2663 72.0 Opponents 37 .425 .319 .700 26.5 405 2194 59.3

*--*

Keys to the game: Cleaves made only three of 17 shots Dec. 2 in Duke’s 73-67 victory over the Spartans in the Great Eight tournament. Michigan State couldn’t overcome that then, and Duke has improved since. The Blue Devils lead the nation in scoring, averaging almost 93 points, and they were held to fewer than 75 only once. Michigan State must shoot well and convert every opportunity. Izzo’s defensive approach against Brand will establish the style of play early. If he surrounds Brand and leaves Langdon and Avery open on the perimeter, the Spartans could be in trouble. If he sticks to the man-to-man concept with Brand having to beat only one defender, the Spartans could be in trouble. Get the idea?