Guard Kalin Lucas lead Michigan State
Michigan State may need another big effort from guard Kalin Lucas tonight against UCLA. Reuters

Two traditional college basketball powers battle tonight when UCLA meets Michigan St. in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Tampa, Florida.

The two programs have 26 trips to the Final Four between them. However, both schools aren't boasting among their better teams, historically.

Ben Howland's Bruins are led by Tyler Honeycutt, a small forward with the ability to put up a lot of points. Earlier this season, Honeycutt scored 33 points against Kansas in Lawrence.

The Spartans need to make sure to box out forward Reeves Nelson, a hard-nosed rebounder and low-post player. Nelson leads the Bruins in scoring.

Tom Izzo has a dynamic offensive weapon of his own in Kalin Lucas. The senior guard is averaging 17.2 points per game, and is an 82 percent free-throw shooter. Lucas scored 30 points last week against 13th-ranked Purdue.

Ben Howland is known for employing tough man-to-man defense, so expect point guards Lazeric Jones and Jerime Anderson to hound Lucas.

The Bruins improved steadily towards the end of the PAC-10 season, so this is not the same team that gave up 82 points to Villanova, and 78 points to Kansas.

Michigan State has been inconsistent this season, and will need strong efforts from their bench, as well as big man Draymond Green.

PREDICTION: UCLA squeaks out the victory, 65-63.

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