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Michigan State Basketball: 3 potential first-round NCAA Tournament matchups

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State takes the floor during the 68-57 loss to Maryland in the Big Ten tournament on Thursday, March 11, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.Msu Mary
Michigan State takes the floor during the 68-57 loss to Maryland in the Big Ten tournament on Thursday, March 11, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.Msu Mary /
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Mar 11, 2021; Greensboro, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Tyrece Radford (23) dunks against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half in the quarterfinal round of the 2021 ACC tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. North Carolina won 81-73. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2021; Greensboro, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Tyrece Radford (23) dunks against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half in the quarterfinal round of the 2021 ACC tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. North Carolina won 81-73. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Virginia Tech Hokies

According to Andy Katz, Virginia Tech has a good chance of being Michigan State’s round one opponent if the Spartans earn a 10 seed like he believes.

Virginia Tech is on the No. 7 seed line and that’s not a huge surprise given the fact that they were ranked No. 23 going into the ACC Tournament but the Hokies lost by eight to North Carolina to end their conference season. This capped off a cold streak to end the regular season in which they lost three out of five games — two of which were by double figures.

This could also be a revenge opportunity for the Spartans who lost to the Hokies in shocking fashion a year ago in Maui.

The Hokies are 15-6 on the season in a down year for the ACC, finishing 9-4 in the conference standings but having the sixth-most league wins (they had to cancel games due to COVID-19). They’re known more for their defense than their offense which is good news for Michigan State which is the same way.

Virginia Tech began the year 8-1, but finished 7-6 and stumbled to the finish line with that cold stretch and a COVID-19 pause. The Hokies have played just three games since Feb. 6, winning just one of them. One win in over a month? Zero momentum.

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