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Michigan State's NCAA Tournament Chances Appear Slim

Spartans' recent struggles could keep them out of March Madness

Michigan State's NCAA Tournament hopes took a major hit over the weekend with a loss to rival Michigan. The Spartans are now 17-12 overall and 9-9 in the Big Ten, which has them sitting on the bubble of the NCAA Tournament.

According to ESPN's Joe Lunardi, Michigan State is currently a No. 12 seed in his latest bracketology projection. However, the Spartans are just one spot ahead of the first team out, so their NCAA Tournament hopes are far from secure.

Michigan State has been one of the most disappointing teams in the country this season. The Spartans were ranked No. 11 in the preseason AP Poll, but they have struggled to find consistency all season long. They have lost to several unranked teams, including Oakland, Northwestern, and Rutgers.

What's wrong with Michigan State?

There are several reasons for Michigan State's struggles this season. One is that they have been hit hard by injuries. Key players like Cassius Winston, Joshua Langford, and Nick Ward have all missed significant time due to injuries.

Another reason for Michigan State's struggles is that they have not been able to shoot the ball well. The Spartans are shooting just 32.9% from three-point range this season, which is one of the worst marks in the country.

Finally, Michigan State has not been able to get enough stops on the defensive end. The Spartans are allowing opponents to average 69.7 points per game this season, which is 88th in the country.

Can Michigan State still make the NCAA Tournament?

It is still possible for Michigan State to make the NCAA Tournament, but they will need to finish the regular season strong. The Spartans have four games remaining on their schedule, including two against ranked opponents (Purdue and Ohio State).

If Michigan State can win at least two of their remaining games, they will likely secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. However, if they lose three or four of their remaining games, they will likely be left out of the tournament.

Conclusion

The NCAA Tournament is one of the most prestigious events in all of sports. Every year, 68 teams compete for the national championship. It is a single-elimination tournament, so every game is a must-win.

Michigan State has a long and storied history in the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans have won two national championships and have appeared in the Final Four 10 times.

This year, Michigan State is hoping to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament. However, the Spartans will need to play much better than they have in recent weeks if they want to make that happen.