There was a lot on the line for Michigan State on Thursday night at Mackey Arena. Michigan State was facing a critical “must-win” situation which had a ton of bearing both NCAA and Big Ten Tournament seeding.
Michigan State was facing road games against Purdue, Indiana, and Michigan in the final four games of the regular season, and picking up one at Mackey to kick off the stretch was arguably the toughest considering how tough that arena has been on the Spartans. Michigan State hadn’t won at Mackey Arena since 2014 and the seven games since haven’t exactly all been competitive.
For the first time in over a decade, Tom Izzo is leaving West Lafayette with a win — and that includes the 2021 NCAA Tournament game against UCLA at Mackey.
With the win, Michigan State has improved to 23-5 on the season and 13-4 in Big Ten play ahead of a huge Sunday afternoon matchup with Indiana. A win there would set up a likely 25-5 Michigan State team with a chance to lock up the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament at Michigan.
Like last year, no one was giving Michigan State much of a shot to navigate a tough stretch seamlessly, but this is a heck of a start.
The win likely moves Michigan State up a seed line.
Michigan State staring down a 3-seed
I didn’t think I’d be saying this tonight, but Michigan State is staring directly at a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament after this win. The Spartans were 14th overall in the NCAA’s first bracket preview, but I would assume they move up a few spots and Purdue likely falls to a 3-seed.
Michigan State still has to win on Sunday at Indiana in order to maintain this 3-seed status, but this was a huge one not only for seeding, but for this team’s confidence.
The 3-seed was on the line on Thursday night and this team rose up and snatched it. Being on that line is super important because there are some matchups that I’d like to see Michigan State avoid until the second weekend.
I’d guess that Michigan State jumps at least Gonzaga and maybe even Nebraska.