How Michigan State handles the spotlight will be determined on the court but Szymon Zapala has valuable insight to share with his teammates. He has three career NCAA Tournament appearances – two as a lightly-used center at Utah State and one at Longwood last year – but has never advanced out of the first round and all were as a double-digit seed.

The No. 8 Michigan State Spartans play in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against the Bryant Bulldogs . Friday's matchup is the first this season for the teams.

Before the open practice, head coach Tom Izzo had his official press conference, praising Byrant head coach Phil Martelli, Jr.. Izzo didn’t hesitate to acknowledge what he called the “white elephant in the room:” Michigan State’s dramatic loss to No. 15 seed Middle Tennessee State in 2016 as a No. 2 seed.

The Detroit News writers predict the outcome of Friday’s NCAA Tournament game between Michigan State and Bryant in Cleveland.

Want to see Michigan vs. Iowa State in person? Tickets for the matchup between Michigan and Iowa State are still available.