1. MSU makes run to Elite Eight
Three straight disappointments have to lead to something good, right? Michigan State basketball fans have been tortured in the NCAA Tournament for the past three seasons. Losing to Middle Tennessee as a No. 2 seed in 2015-16 was painful, dropping in blowout fashion to Kansas in 2016-17 hurt and falling to Syracuse in the second round in 2017-18 was a nightmare.
What’s next after losing two lottery picks?
How about an Elite Eight appearance. It doesn’t seem likely considering Michigan State lost a ton in Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., Gavin Schilling, Tum Tum Nairn and Ben Carter, but it returns Cassius Winston, Nick Ward, Josh Langford, Matt McQuaid, Xavier Tillman, Kenny Goins and Kyle Ahrens with a five-man 2018 recruiting class. This team could be built better for March.
Tom Izzo is sick of losing on the first weekend and he used to be Mr. March. He’ll gain some of that recognition back this season with a strong run to the Elite Eight before losing to Kansas in a rematch of the season opener.
Not making the Final Four is like a stake in the heart of Spartan fans, but essentially the entire team will return in 2019-20 to make an even deeper run.