Michigan State Basketball: 5 reasons Spartans deserve a No. 1 seed

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 16: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans meets with head coach Tom Izzo in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2. Most Quadrant 1 wins in the country

College basketball seeding is based on a new Quadrant system and NET rankings, ditching the RPI this season. The selection committee has made it clear that Quadrant 1 wins are as important a measure as anything, and if that’s the case, Michigan State should have a No. 1 seed almost in the bag, pending the Big Ten Tournament title game.

The committee has a good idea of what it’s going to do with its four top seeds heading into Selection Sunday, so in the scenario that Michigan State beats Michigan for a third time and earns its 13th Quadrant 1 win of the season, the Spartans have to be vying for that spot.

There will be a serious discussion among committee members about this exact scenario, but to completely exclude MSU from No. 1 seed consideration would be silly.

Michigan State is 12-4 against Quad 1 teams this season, tying Virginia for the most such victories in college basketball but with one more loss.

The Spartans have two Quadrant two losses, but you can’t overlook the 12 wins — potentially 13 after Sunday — at the highest level of play.

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