Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Predicting how far Michigan State basketball can go in 2018 NCAA Tournament

By Adam Zdroik

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Michigan State Spartans celebrate with the Big Ten trophy after the Spartan defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Michigan State Spartans celebrate with the Big Ten trophy after the Spartan defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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ROSEMONT, IL – FEBRUARY 17: Jaren Jackson Jr. (C) of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after making a basket against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half on February 17, 2018 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 65-60. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
ROSEMONT, IL – FEBRUARY 17: Jaren Jackson Jr. (C) of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after making a basket against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half on February 17, 2018 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 65-60. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Elite Eight

Kansas is most likely to be in this spot, but I wouldn’t put it past any other team to get here. The Jayhawks have a favorable draw, but Seton Hall and NC State have both knocked off giants this season. I don’t believe Clemson or Auburn will make it this far because of injuries to key players. So instead of wasting time and analyzing a matchup against an 8-seed or 9-seed, I’ll look at Kansas.

More from Michigan State Spartans

This is the perfect situation for Michigan State, in a sense. These are two very different teams from a year ago in that Frank Mason and Josh Jackson are no longer on Kansas. As for Michigan State, it didn’t lose anyone of significance (outside of Alvin Ellis III) and added Jaren Jackson in the process.

Udoka Azubuike has played well at times, but I’d put my money on Nick Ward winning that matchup. He’s a better offensive threat as compared to Azubuike, who usually just gets open layups and dunks created by Devonte’ Graham. Speaking of Graham, that’ll be MSU’s biggest problem because it doesn’t have anyone to guard him. But even if Graham has his way, the Spartans have a slight edge at every other position.

Malik Newman is a soft guard that is extremely hot-and-cold and Josh Langford is a better overall player even if he loves long two-pointers. Miles Bridges over Lagerald Vick and Marcus Garrett is a no-brainer. Jaren Jackson should also do what he wants against Svi Mykhailiuk in the post, while his length will give the Ukranian issues on the other end.

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