Michigan State Basketball: 5 reasons Spartans can make 2018 Final Four

Despite being in a tough region with some not-so-easy matchups, Michigan State can make a deep run to the Final Four, and here’s why.

Tom Izzo is a master of March. You wouldn’t realize it if you’ve been on social media over the past two years because the trolls will tell you he has one NCAA Tournament win since 2015. Yes, that’s correct, but that’s what a first-round upset can do — recency bias is strong against Izzo.

Entering the 2018 NCAA Tournament, there are many who are hesitant to pick the green and white to win it all despite the fact Michigan State was a top-three team for most of the season. While there are plenty of reasons to be worried about the Spartans, they just might surprise some people and finally live up to their potential.

Here’s why the Spartans should be on the Final Four radar and why they can make that deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

5. Win over Duke would bring major confidence

Earlier in the season, Michigan State matched up with Duke and it was one of those No. 1 vs. No. 2 battles that you only hope to wish to witness each year. The two heavyweights punched each other in the mouth multiple times before Duke got the last laugh, beating Michigan State 88-81.

Despite the seven-point win for the Blue Devils, the Spartans actually looked like the better team for spurts in the second half. Maybe they weren’t clearly better in those spurts, but they did out-play the Blue Devils in some regards. In the end, Duke was just too good and Mike Krzyzewski notched his 11th win over Tom Izzo in 12 meetings.

Duke is the one team Michigan State has had long-term problem with in this year’s field, and a Sweet 16 matchup with the Blue Devils seems imminent.

Right now, it seems like a mental obstacle, but if the Spartans can figure out a way to exact revenge over the Blue Devils, that momentum could carry them to the Final Four — and even national title game.

The winner of the Duke-MSU game will be playing for a national title.