Michigan State basketball: 5 bold predictions for March 2023

Michigan State basketball is gearing up for what could be a special March Madness.rnrnThe Spartans are just 18-11 on the season ahead of the regular-season finale, but there's a good chance that they could put a scare into some teams this month. They've been able to play with everyone on their schedule but also inconsistent enough to lose to anyone.rnrnHere are five of the boldest predictions you'll read ahead of Michigan State's March run.rn 5. Michigan State makes Big Ten Tournament title game rnThere's still a chance Michigan State could earn a top-four seed in the Big Ten Tournament if a few more things can happen this weekend. That double-bye is still alive.rnrnEven if the Spartans don't get the double-bye, I think we'll see them make a decent run in the Big Ten Tournament, especially with how well they've been playing lately. They're going to win in the quarterfinals, beat a really good (potentially ranked) team in the semifinals, and play for a Big Ten Tournament title on Selection Sunday.rnrnMichigan State is playing its best basketball of the season and if it can beat Ohio State in the season finale and play well, the Spartans will be cruising at the right time.rnrnI see the Spartans making some noise in the Big Ten Tournament.rnrn[nextslide teaser="No.%204" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_79859" align="aligncenter" width="3200"] Feb 4, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Tyson Walker (2) holds his hand after a basket against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rn 4. Tyson Walker averages 20 points per game rnOver the past four games, Tyson Walker is averaging over 20 points and has scored under 20 just once (and he still ended up with 19). He's going to stay hot in March.rnrnI think I've seen multiple people say what I've been saying as well: Walker has the ability to piece together a Travis Trice-like senior year run. If you don't remember, Trice got red-hot at the end of his senior year and led the Spartans to a Final Four run as a No. 7 seed, scoring 15-plus in each NCAA Tournament game.rnrnWell, Michigan State is likely to get a No. 7 seed and Walker is hot at the perfect time. He could be that Trice-like figure in an improbable run to a Final Four.rnrnWhile I'm not predicting a Final Four here, I do think Michigan State will exceed NCAA Tournament expectations and Walker will be a reason why.rnrnThe senior guard will average 20 points per game this month.rnrn[nextslide teaser="No.%203" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_80097" align="aligncenter" width="3200"] Feb 25, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) and guard Tyson Walker (2) and forward Malik Hall (25) look on late during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rn 3. Michigan State earns a 6-seed in NCAA Tournament rnWith a win over Ohio State in the season finale and a run to the Big Ten Tournament title game, the selection committee is going to have something to really think about when it comes to seeding the Spartans.rnrnAs of the day before Senior Day against Ohio State, the Spartans are 18-11 and projected as a 7/8 seed by most bracketologists. There's one (Jerry Palm) who has the Spartans as a 9-seed, but I don't think that's likely given how well they've been playing lately and how they compare to other 7/8 seeds (they're better than most).rnrnMichigan State will add at least 2-3 more wins before the NCAA Tournament and it'll get a 6-seed in the Big Dance.rnrnWhile a No. 5 seed would be possible if they make it to the Big Ten title game, I don't think that's likely and I don't think anyone wants to be a 5-seed with upset-hungry teams like Oral Roberts sitting out there.rnrnThis team could make a run as a No. 6 seed.rnrn[nextslide teaser="No.%202" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_80166" align="aligncenter" width="3200"] NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 04: A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a game at Madison Square Garden on February 4, 2023 in New York, New York. Rutgers defeated Michigan State 61-55. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)[/caption]rn 2. Guard play leads Spartans to Elite Eight rnWhat do the best teams in March Madness have? Great guard play.rnrnMichigan State has that.rnrnAJ Hoggard is one of the best passers in college basketball and Tyson Walker is playing his best basketball as a Spartan while Jaden Akins is growing into a legitimate scoring option. He's been red-hot lately along with Hoggard and Walker.rnrnThe teams with the best guard play usually make the deepest runs in the NCAA Tournament. And that's why I think we'll see Michigan State make a surprise run in the tourney.rnrnWhile I think a Final Four is very possible because this team is as talented as any in the country, it just isn't consistent enough to be trusted to make it all the way. But I think a Sweet 16 and Elite Eight are both possible.rnrnWe hear rivals flaunt the "one Sweet 16 in seven years" in our faces but I think that'll change this year as the Spartans win three games to make it to the Elite Eight.rnrn[nextslide teaser="No.%201" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_75618" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Michigan State's Tyson Walker, left, reacts after getting called for a foul against Northwestern during the second half on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Malik Hall, right, holds him back. 220115 Msu Northwestern 168a[/caption]rn 1. Tyson Walker, Malik Hall decide to return in 2023-24 rnThis is more of a post-March prediction, but I think it's fair to include this one because, well, it could very well happen this month.rnrnIf we're lucky, however, it won't happen until after the season ends in April.rnrnTyson Walker will piece together an epic run to an Elite Eight and turn the Spartans into one of the scariest teams in the NCAA Tournament while Malik Hall will come off the bench as one of the best sixth men in the country. Both will have great runs and get a taste of glory but they'll each decide to come back for "unfinished business" in 2023-24.rnrnMichigan State's success will make their desire to return even stronger.rnrnWalker could come back and be the top scorer on one of the best teams in the country and Hall could be that veteran post presence that the team might be missing.rnrnI think both will decide to come back after a heartbreaking loss in the Elite Eight.rnrn[story_link_next description="3%20bold%20predictions%20for%20MSU%20vs.%20Ohio%20State" url="https://spartanavenue.com/2023/03/03/michigan-state-basketball-bold-predictions-ohio-state-2023-senior-day/" /]

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Michigan State basketball: 5 bold predictions for March 2023

5. Michigan State makes Big Ten Tournament title game

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