Expectations for Michigan State basketball were sky high this year in part because of the influx of three talented freshmen. While Kalin Lucas has surpassed his billing as a game-changing point guard, the fastest MSU's ever seen in the open court, classmates Chris Allen and Durrell Summers haven't had quite the impact. Allen was set back by an early-season foot injury, and Summers never got enough minutes off the bench.

In Thursday's NCAA tournament opener, however, all three made huge contributions to MSU's 72-61 victory. Allen had 12 points in 22 minutes off the bench, Summers scored eight and started MSU on its game-changing 15-2 first-half run, and Lucas finished with eight points and seven assists. Without them, MSU might not have won.

"Our freshmen played extremely well for their first NCAA tournament game," guard Drew Neitzel said.

More importantly, they played with poise beyond their years. On a stage that's been known swallow up the young, Lucas, Allen and Summers never blinked. Lucas committed one turnover in 27 minutes. Allen banged home an early 3-pointer that gave MSU the lead for good, and Summers played under control, taking the extra dribble on his first jump shot instead of launching a three.

On Saturday, the Spartans will play one of the two best teams they've met all year in Pittsburgh. The Panthers destroyed Oral Roberts in their opener Thursday and present a slew of matchup problems with DeJuan Blair inside and Sam Young on the wing. One area they struggle, however, is matching up with athleticism on the perimeter. That means Lucas, Allen and Summers once again could be the key to victory.