SCOUTING REPORT

MICHIGAN STATE STARTING LINEUP

FORWARD: 42, Morris Peterson

FORWARD: 43, A.J. Granger

CENTER: 34, Andre Hutson

GUARD: 14, Charlie Bell

GUARD: 12, Mateen Cleaves

* About Michigan State--The Spartans will be happy to play a more up-tempo game than they did in their 53-41 victory over Wisconsin. Adaptability is one of Michigan State’s strengths. Point guard Mateen Cleaves is the soul of the team, a great leader and winner but not always a great shooter: Over the last three games he is nine for 31. Morris Peterson is an inside-outside slasher who might thrive against Florida. Bottom line on Michigan State: The Spartans are Final Four veterans with three senior starters, now a rarity.

FLORIDA STARTING LINEUP

FORWARD: 13, Mike Miller

FORWARD: 00, Brent Wright

CENTER: 50, Udonis Haslem

GUARD: 5, Teddy Dupay

GUARD: 12, Justin Hamilton

* About Florida--The 10-deep Gators are in the mold of the Rick Pitino teams at Kentucky, and they might have more good players than anybody in the country. Consider this: Florida defeated North Carolina even though Mike Miller and Teddy Dupay combined to shoot four for 21, with the bench stepping up to outscore the starting five. Miller and bulky center Udonis Haslem have been the leading scorers all season, but during the NCAA tournament freshman reserve Brett Nelson is third, contributing 11.4 points while shooting 52% from three-point range and leading the team in assists with 18. Florida’s fierce, trapping full-court press forces tempo and turnovers, but Michigan State is a veteran team that shouldn’t fluster easily.

* Keys to the game--Michigan State’s ability to handle Florida’s pressure and still have energy to defend the waves of Florida substitutes will be key. Defense wins championships, and both of these teams have held tournament opponents to less than 40% shooting. Only two Michigan State opponents have scored 80 points all season, and Florida averages 84, so something has to give.