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Michigan State Basketball: Gauging Big Ten Tournament expectations

By Stephen Robb

Feb 26, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) is defended by Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) during the second half of a game at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) is defended by Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) during the second half of a game at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Michigan State basketball headed into the Big Ten Tournament on the bubble, what are the performance expectations?

Michigan State basketball enters the Big Ten Tournament with much to prove to the NCAA selection committee. Have the Spartans done enough to punch a ticket to the Big Dance?

Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Big Ten Tournament

It’s been an up-and-down season for this Michigan State team. There were times where I wondered if the Spartans would win another game and other times where I believed the squad had turned the corner. I have written before and believe it to be true that this team has the talent to go deep in the NCAA Tournament, but it has to figure out how to win the close games. The Maryland game serves as a vicious reminder that the team is still not there.

What should we expect from this team in the Big Ten Tournament?

The injuries, turnovers, and inexperience have taken their toll during the season, yet this team seems to flourish when its back is against the wall. Tom Izzo may have to dig deep into his bag of tricks to help the Spartans make a run in the Big Ten Tournament.

Izzo’s the X-factor and if he’s able to push the right buttons with substitutions and schemes then the Spartans have the talent to reach the Big Ten Championship.

I do believe the Spartans have done enough to go to the NCAA Tournament, because that win against Wisconsin was huge. Although, the selection committee can be difficult to predict there are always a team or two every year that gets snubbed and then performs well in the NIT.

Related Story: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for the month of March

If the Spartans can win a game or two then they should secure their spot in the Big Dance.

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