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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 13: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 13: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Final Four

At this point, there’s little reason to go in-depth into any matchup as anything can happen. Villanova isn’t too dissimilar from Kansas and that’s a good thing for Michigan State. Omari Spellman isn’t a great defender in the post and that should once again open things up for the Spartans. This Wildcats team also ranks much worse defensively than any prior group so I’m not sure it’ll make it to this spot anyway.

Purdue is the other favorite and we know all about them. If that’s the matchup, it’ll be evident that both teams are playing well. Similar to that first game, the Boilermakers are about neck-and-neck with the Spartans and that would be another incredible game. However, I’m still wary of Purdue in late-game situations and if MSU reaches this point, one has to think Josh Langford is back to playing good basketball.

Texas Tech would be an interesting matchup, but as with any team that lacks consistency on offense, it’s one that can lose at any point. Keenan Evans would be a major problem for Cassius Winston, but I’m not sure the Red Raiders have anyone to deal with Jaren Jackson. Still, this isn’t a matchup Michigan State should desire because Tech has ranked among the best in the country in defense all season.

In that same boat, the Spartans don’t want to see press-heavy West Virginia for obvious reasons. The most realistic and best matchup may be Wichita State, the 5-seed out of the East region. The Shockers have struggled defensively all season and that would play into the hands of Michigan State.

The hope is that MSU’s defense would shine through against Wichita’s offense that has been extremely efficient this season. Conner Frankamp is equal to Matt McQuaid and he plays close to 30 minutes per game. Landry Shamet would definitely be a problem and Wichita has players to matchup well with Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson, but the Spartans are more talented at all of those positions outside of point guard.

Home/Michigan State Spartans