Despite a major push late in the second half, Michigan State basketball lost a down-to-the-wire battle against Duke in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Johnathan Lloyd #5 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates his touchdown with his teammates against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half on September 8, 2018 at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. The Blue Devils and Blue Raiders have taken similar roads to get to this point with both suffering lopsided defeats to top 10 teams followed by blow out wins over FCS opponents. LINE: Duke -6.5The Blue Devils and Quentin Harris proved no match for No. The Blue Devils are 37-15 in non-conference games under Cutcliffe, including wins in 20 of their last 25 out of conference contests. PREDICTION: Middle Tennessee 27, Duke 24More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Kelvin Hopkins Jr. #8 of the Army Black Knights signals after running for a first down against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

North Carolina A&T opened the season last week with a three-point win over Elon, prevailing at the buzzer for its sixth straight win, dating to last year. ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA A&T (1-0)The Aggies have not allowed more than 23 points in any of their last 22 games, dating back almost two full years. They held Elon scoreless in the fourth quarter last week to give Noel Ruiz enough opportunities to make a 52-yard field goal at the horn after missing two earlier kicks in the fourth quarter. Kylil Carter (two touchdown passes) and Elijah Bell (nine catches, including a touchdown) were among the offensive stars for North Carolina A&T in Week 1. PREDICTION: Duke 55, North Carolina A&T 13More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Head coach Rod Carey of the Northern Illinois Huskies looks on from the sideline while playing the Duke Blue Devils during the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field on December 26, 2017 in Detroit Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

1 is Cassius Winston of Michigan State, No. 20 is Xavier Tillman Jr. of Michigan State and named to honorable mention is University of Michigan guard Zavier Simpson. Xavier Tillman, Jr., F, Michigan State19. Cole Anthony, Fr., G, North Carolina4. Markus Howard, Sr., G, Marquette1.

7 Michigan State SpartansRegular season (23-11, 12-6 Big Ten)Throughout most of the regular season, Michigan State struggled to emerge as the national power Spartan fans have become accustomed to. Road to the Final FourIzzo didn't let the poor finish in Chicago carry over into the NCAA Tournament, as Michigan State handled No. Michigan State's X-factor is Branden Dawson, who showed spurts of being a dominating Big Ten center this season. Road to the Final FourWisconsin enters its game against Kentucky coming off of three straight seven-point victories. In the end, Notre Dame came up empty in its final possession and the undefeated season lived on into the Final Four.