Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo and his players gathered for a Selection Sunday watch party just two days after being eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament, patiently awaiting their seeding and regional draw.
Unlike most years, Michigan State didn’t have to wait very long to hear its name called. It was about five minutes into the Selection Show when the Spartans found out that they’d be a 3-seed.
The reveal was pretty shocking considering Michigan State was “locked in” to a 2-seed entering the Big Ten Tournament, but Purdue stole that 2-seed by winning the entire thing. Although Michigan State won the head-to-head against Purdue and has nearly an identical resume, the selection committee switched the two.
Izzo and the players reacted accordingly to the draw in the East Region as a 3-seed.
BUFFALO BOUND 🏀 pic.twitter.com/2CtBezWuKu
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) March 15, 2026
There wasn’t much of a roar in the room after Michigan State was announced as the first 3-seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament which isn’t too surprising, especially when you consider that Duke, Kansas, UConn, UCLA, St. John’s, and Louisville are all in the same region as the Spartans. That draw was a nightmare.
Not surprising in the least.
Izzo isn’t going to overthink this draw or complain about it because he’s had tougher regions before and he’s made it to the Final Four in several tougher ones with wose Spartan teams.
This team can make a run.
We can’t be counting Tom Izzo — aka ”Mr. March” — out
After a mini drought, Michigan State made it back to the Elite Eight last season and now the Spartans are staring down what could be another run to the second weekend, and beyond.
Everyone was doubting Izzo out after the 2024 NCAA Tournament when his Spartans lost to North Carolina in the second round, capping off a mediocre four-year run in the Big Dance. He vowed to get back to deeper runs or die trying, and he lived up to his promise.
Michigan State believes he has a team with a high ceiling, but there’s a lot of work to do. March is when Izzo does his best work, however.
The draw is rough, Michigan State is riding a two-game losing streak, and vibes might be slightly down after falling to a 3-seed, but I believe in Mr. March.
Just win the weekend.