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Michigan State Basketball: 5 potential 2022 NCAA Tournament opponents

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 12, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks to his team in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks to his team in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2022; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Armando Bacot (5) dunks against Virginia Tech Hokies guard Storm Murphy (5) during the first half of the ACC Tournament semifinal game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2022; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Armando Bacot (5) dunks against Virginia Tech Hokies guard Storm Murphy (5) during the first half of the ACC Tournament semifinal game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

4. North Carolina Tar Heels (24-9; projected 8/9 seed)

North Carolina was on the bubble just a couple of weeks ago, but after a six-game winning streak to end the season and start the ACC Tournament (which included spoiling Coach K’s final home game at Cameron Indoor), the Tar Heels are looking more like a No. 8 or No. 9 seed.

Hubert Davis has done a solid job in his first season as North Carolina head coach, leading the Tar Heels to a 24-9 record and if not for a blowout loss to Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament semifinals, they might be in the 7-seed conversation.

If Michigan State slips back to the 8-seed line because of Saturday’s loss to Purdue, I could see the Spartans getting matched up with North Carolina which would draw a ton of attention.

North Carolina can put up points, averaging just under 80 per game, and it rebounds well thanks to star big man Armando Bacot. Michigan, Virginia Tech, and Duke are probably the Tar Heels’ best wins this year.

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