One program is busy proving people wrong. The other is back where many always expected it to be.

That's the essence of the matchup when No. 2 Michigan State takes on No. 3 LSU in the East Region semifinals of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

The Spartans, who are playing in their 14th Sweet 16 under coach Tom Izzo, had failed to get out of the first weekend of the tournament in each of the past three seasons but are back after bouncing Bradley and Minnesota in the first two rounds.