3 reasons Michigan State basketball can go on surprise NCAA Tournament run

2. Guard play reigns supreme

Which teams usually win in March? Teams with elite guard play.

Coming into the season, that's exactly what Michigan State was advertising. They had a trio of veterans returning in Tyson Walker, AJ Hoggard, and Jaden Akins along with rising sophomore Tre Holloman and highly-touted freshman Jeremy Fears Jr. Out of the veterans, Walker has been the only one that truly lived up to the hype and Holloman looked strong off the bench while Fears has been sidelined since December after being shot in the leg back in his hometown.

But Michigan State still has four really good guards who are capable of giving every team fits in the NCAA Tournament. While Hoggard and Akins have struggled a bit this year on the offensive end, they're both plus defenders and when they get hot, watch out. Walker can put the team on his back and score 25-30 on any given night. Holloman has been the most improved player on the team.

Michigan State has elite guards and when they're all playing well at the same time (Baylor), there's not a team in the country that can slow the Spartans down.

If the guard play lives up to its potential in the tournament, Michigan State will make some noise.