The Michigan State Spartans (7) are this year's surprise Final Four team, but the odds have never been stacked against them quite as steep as they are Saturday.

Though Tom Izzo has proven it is a mistake to underestimate his team in the Big Dance, he will go up against the powerhouse Duke Blue Devils (1) and - like his Spartans - they are hitting their stride at the right time.

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Coach Mike Krzyzewski's Blue Devils are 8-1 against Izzo's Spartans and Duke has stepped up its defense for the NCAA Tournament to go with their hugely talented, multi-faceted offense.

"You know, stats are unbelievable, man," Krzyzewski said in a pregame press conference, according to the Associated Press. "That doesn't make a difference at all. They're going to be ready. You know what? They don't lack talent."

Michigan State struggled with inconsistency this year after losing some key players to the NBA Draft and others to injury. But as Izzo's teams do seemingly ever year, they are able to reset and put past struggles behind them.

Also way behind both teams is their previous meeting on Nov. 18. Duke won 81-71 and Michigan State seemed to have no answer for standout freshman center Jahlil Okafor.

"It's just special. You can just feel it in the air now, how important it is, what it means to be here," Duke guard Tyus Jones said in his pregame remarks. "Just look out and see how many seats are out there. On Saturday night, those seats are all going to be filled. It's a special feeling."