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Michigan State Basketball: 3 ideal 2021 NCAA Tournament first-round matchups

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 11, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Rocket Watts (2) controls the ball against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Rocket Watts (2) controls the ball against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 14, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans forward Evan Mobley (4) shoots a free throw against the Washington Huskies during the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans forward Evan Mobley (4) shoots a free throw against the Washington Huskies during the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

2. USC Trojans (22-6, entering Friday)

I know what you’re thinking: Why the heck would Michigan State want to see Evan Mobley and a 22-6 USC team in the first round?

It’s a valid question, but the Pac-12 has been really bad this season so that 22-6 record might be a little deceiving. Outside of Oregon, Colorado, UCLA and maybe Arizona, the Trojans have had very little tough competition this season. Even the teams mentioned outside of Colorado and Oregon have been relatively mediocre over the past month.

USC, too, has been limping to the end of the regular season and that was also evident in its first Pac-12 tourney game against Utah as it needed double overtime to down the 12-13 Utes.

It looked like USC was going to coast to a Pac-12 regular season title, but a 3-3 finish to the regular season in the final six games crushed that. They tied atop the standings with Oregon, but the choke down the stretch was not a good sign as the Trojans looked much more human.

When you talk about lightly-tested teams, USC has to top that list. The Trojans have one single ranked win this season and that came against a ranked (at the time) UCLA team which has now lost four straight games heading into the NCAA Tournament.

USC actually lost its toughest non-conference game as well to Connecticut at home.

Andy Enfield is having his best season as USC’s head coach, but not being tested throughout the season could spell trouble come March Madness. The Trojans are a projected No. 5 seed, but that could change if they lose to Colorado in the Pac-12 title semifinal.

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