Couch: 5 keys to MSU’s NCAA regional final vs. Louisville

1. Montrezl Harrell vs. Branden Dawson

Neither player has likely ever faced an athletic behemoth quite like themselves — until now. Harrell (15.7 points per game, 9.2 rebounds) is a 6-foot-8, 240-pound physical forward, an intimidating rebounder who can score with decent touch around the basket. Dawson (11.9, 9.1) is 6-6, 230, relying on many of the same traits, though a bit more of a high-riser. There will be no clear athletic advantage for either, negating an edge both teams rely upon, especially MSU. How both handle this challenge mentally will be interesting. It could be the most ferocious athletic battle of the NCAA tournament. “It’ll definitely be a man’s game,” Dawson said Saturday. “I don’t see him running with the amount of energy I have,” Harrell said. Game on. - Read more at LSJ.com