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Michigan State Basketball: 5 biggest overreactions before 2018 NCAA Tournament

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 3: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Breslin Center on December 3, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 3: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Breslin Center on December 3, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 03: Moritz Wagner #13 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts following their 75-64 win against the Michigan State Spartans during semifinals of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 03: Moritz Wagner #13 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts following their 75-64 win against the Michigan State Spartans during semifinals of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

2. Spartans can’t beat anyone with a pulse

One of the biggest knocks on this Spartan team heading into the 2018 NCAA Tournament is the lack of quality wins. On one hand, the Spartans have just a few really good wins this season and on the other, no one expected the Big Ten to be mediocre.

Michigan State was able to handle North Carolina and a then-top 10 ranked Notre Dame team with a healthy Bonzie Colson in non-conference play. That was in a span of about four days and the Spartans played No. 1 Duke tough just two weeks earlier.

In conference play, Michigan State only had to face Michigan, Purdue and Ohio State once, going 1-2 in those games with the lone victory coming at home. The Spartans then faced Michigan again in the Big Ten Tournament and lost for the second time.

Sure, the losses are concerning, but they shouldn’t define this team. Who knows how the Spartans would have fared with another matchup against Purdue and Ohio State — it may have even boosted their resume. This team has enough talent to beat anyone in college basketball, but it has to avoid the early deficits.

Michigan State can beat anyone, but it just has to realize its potential as a team.

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