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Michigan State basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. Kansas State in Sweet 16

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 19, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) dribbles the ball defended by Marquette Golden Eagles forward Oso Ighodaro (13) in the first half at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) dribbles the ball defended by Marquette Golden Eagles forward Oso Ighodaro (13) in the first half at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State Spartans’ A.J. Hoggard (11) Mady Sissoko (22), Tyson Walker (2) and forward Malik Hall (25) during the 69-60 win over Marquette in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Columbus, Ohio, March 19, 2023.Msumarq 031923 Kd6623 MSU huddle
Michigan State Spartans’ A.J. Hoggard (11) Mady Sissoko (22), Tyson Walker (2) and forward Malik Hall (25) during the 69-60 win over Marquette in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Columbus, Ohio, March 19, 2023.Msumarq 031923 Kd6623 MSU huddle /

1. Michigan State will head to the Elite Eight

Tom Izzo is really good in Sweet 16 games. In fact, he’s 10-4 in Sweet 16 games and he’s looking to make that 11-4 this time around and I think he has a good matchup to do that.

Kansas State is a very good team. This might be the best team in the Big 12 despite not winning the regular-season title, but the Wildcats are in year one of a turnaround under Jerome Tang who has done an incredible job after being hired this past offseason from Baylor’s coaching staff. He turned a team that was 14-17 last year into a 25-9 team that finished third in the Big 12.

But I just don’t think Kansas State is ready to compete for titles yet. The Wildcats have a couple of really good players who can lead them past the veteran Spartans, but Michigan State just feels hungry right now.

The battle between Tyson Walker and Markquis Nowell is going to be one for the ages and this game will be tight throughout, but the Spartans come up clutch and pick up a huge win.

Michigan State is headed to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019.

Next. 3 takeaways from MSU's win over Marquette. dark

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