Virginia's Atkins predicts 'd--k swinging contest' against Michigan State

Sunday's Round of 32 matchup between Virginia and Michigan State should be a heck of a game.

The 2-7 meeting is close enough to expect a competitive game, the team's are ranked fifth and 17th by KenPom rating and the spread shows a narrow five-point edge for the Cavaliers. Michigan State also eliminated Virginia last year, so emotion should be high. This has the makings of a potential classic.

So how will the winner be determined? Michigan State's offense? Virginia's No. 2-ranked defense? The team that enforces its preferred pace and style of play? The health of Justin Anderson for the Cavaliers?

None of the above, according to Virginia senior Darion Atkins.

"It's going to be a dick swinging contest," he said Saturday, before giggling.

That game tips off at 12:10 p.m. ET, so if that's your kind of thing, be sure you don't sleep in.

Of course, Atkins doesn't mean this literally. His descriptor for the game is likely him suggesting that things could get aggressive, with ego and toughness winning out. It's gender-biased language, and he's trying to tell us it'll be a game worth watching.