Commentary
Insider Intel: No. 1 question for KU, MSU
When the defending champs meet Michigan State, the little guys may tip the balance
Originally Published: March 22, 2009
By
Luke Cyphers | ESPN The Magazine
Yeah, yeah, this is the Year of the Big Man. We know (because we wrote it).
But this week, it's all eyes on the little guys. At least when Michigan State plays Kansas. Neither team would be in the Sweet 16 if not for their stature-challenged point guards.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
-
ESPN The Magazine subscribers
-
Need more information?
Luke Cyphers is a former senior writer for ESPN The Magazine.
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL HEADLINES
- Georgetown's Whittington has torn left ACL
- Baylor's Jackson (knee) can't work out for draft
- Ex-Alabama guard Lacey chooses NC State
- Drake F King transfers home to Minnesota
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
NCAA TOURNAMENT

2009 NCAA Tournament Index
STORIES
- Mark Schlabach: Big East clearly best
- Pat Forde: Devendorf deals with hate
- Heather Dinich: Duke meets expectations
- Ted Miller: Gonzaga wins thriller
- Heather Dinich: Lawson returns, leads Heels
- Andy Katz: Memphis is a true title contender
- Dana O'Neil: Villanova wins Philly fight club
- Pat Forde: Cleveland State roughs up Wake
- Brian Bennett: Saints march to Moore's tune
- Pat Forde: Time to praise Arizona
- Andy Katz: Unlikely hero saves Memphis
- Dana O'Neil: No Calhoun, no problem
- Mark Schlabach: Day 1 lacks usual flair
- Breakdowns: East | Midwest | South | West
INSIDER TOURNEY TIPS
- Insider Intel: Syracuse's only shot

- Insider Intel: Duke's outside chances

- Insider Intel: Purdue's D eyes UConn

- Insider Intel: Misreading Memphis
- Insider Intel: Nova's guards in control

- Insider Intel: Dayton flying high

- Insider Intel: Arizona's terrific trio

- Giant killers: Upsets that missed

- Giant killers: Hot model

-
How to beat: Pitt | UConn | L'ville | UNC
VIDEOS
- Bob Knight: Day 1 recap
- Can LSU beat North Carolina?
- Jim Calhoun update
- Breakdowns: East | Midwest | South | West
TOURNEY TOOLS
- Tournament Challenge | Take on experts
- Brackets: HTML | GIF | PDF
- Accuscore BracketCaster
- Insider
: Guide | Predictor | Projections
- Gasaway: Big Ten doing more with less
- Gasaway: Previewing the new ACC
- Telep: Maryland's local recruiting success
- RN: Class rankings | SEC | Big Ten | Big East
- Draft: Ford's top 30 prospects | Bilas' top 30
