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Michigan State Basketball: 3 reasons Spartans could make 2022 Final Four run

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 11, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) applauds the fans in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) applauds the fans in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Tyler Wahl (5) shoots the ball while Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) forward Malik Hall (25) and forward Julius Marble II (34) defend in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Tyler Wahl (5) shoots the ball while Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) forward Malik Hall (25) and forward Julius Marble II (34) defend in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Michigan State has proven it can beat anyone

Michigan State has faced some elite opponents this season. In fact, the Spartans have played two No. 1 seeds, two No. 3 seeds, a No. 4 seed, and two No. 5 seeds. They have had 11 games against teams that were seeded 1-5 and the Spartans are 4-7.

Sure, that’s not a great record in those matchups, but there were a few that could have gone either way as well. Michigan State could have very well won both games against Illinois, nearly beat Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament, and nearly swept Wisconsin in a three-game season series. Michigan State was close to being 7-4 in those games instead of 4-7.

What was even more encouraging was the fact that Michigan State hung with Baylor (a No. 1 seed) for about 25-30 minutes and turnovers did them in. They have since worked on the turnover issue. The Spartans actually led Baylor for a good chunk of the first half.

And the Kansas (also a No. 1 seed) game was the season opener and Michigan State has only gelled since then. It’s hard to judge a team off its first game.

Tom Izzo and the players have said it best: Michigan State can beat anyone and it can also lose to anyone. The former is a dangerous attribute to have in March.

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