Can the Michigan State Spartans reach the Final Four?

Michigan State upset No. 2 seed Virginia to get to the Sweet Sixteen Sunday and now, we wonder if the Spartans can get to the Final Four.

The Michigan State Spartans came into the NCAA Tournament under-seeded in many opinions at a 7-seed. But, while they captured a 7-seed, their path to the Final Four may be the easiest of all top seeds, especially after what has already happened in the East Region.

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After the Villanova Wildcats got upset as the 1-seed in the East Region to the 8-seed NC State on Saturday night, it was time for some more shake up. The No. 7 Michigan State Spartans knocked off the No. 2 Virginia Cavaliers 60-54, led by senior point guard Travis Trice and senior forward Branden Dawson.

This is Michigan State’s 19th Sweet Sixteen berth and their fourth appearance in a row. Last season Michigan State lost to Connecticut in the Elite Eight, who went on to win the championship.

Michigan State went 23-11 after a 12-6 Big Ten season and after making a championship run in the Big Ten tournament before losing to Wisconsin in overtime. They looked so impressive in the Big Ten Tournament that many thought they had bumped up their status to be a six seed or even a five seed in the NCAA Tournament.

While Michigan State was put in the 7-seed, they were and are in the best situation out of any seven seed, or any seed above six in the tournament. They were given a region that had a 1-seed who went 30-2, but played nobody during the season (Villanova) and they had a 2-seed that struggles to score points but has a solid defense (Virginia). But in the NCAA Tournament, you need offense and Justin Anderson’s lingering injuries were affecting the team negatively.

The first team Michigan State had to play was 10-seed Georgia. Now, Georgia can play, but Georgia’s only wins on the season that are even worth noting are two against Ole Miss. Michigan State took care of Georgia, and then had a Virginia team that scores just 65.3 points per game, 225th in the NCAA. While their defense ranked 1st, allowing just 51 points per game, it was no match for a high powered offense that Michigan State has with three-point specialists in Travis Trice and Gary Forbes as well as Denzel Valentine who can score from anywhere on the floor and then Branden Dawson who is one of the most aggressive undersized low-post players in the NCAA.

Michigan State’s next opponent will be the winner of Dayton and Oklahoma. The Sooners are a three-seed and that is another reason why Michigan State made a great draw in the NCAA Tournament. While Oklahoma is the only of the three Big 12 3-seeds still standing, they’re beatable and Michigan State is a great matchup.

If Oklahoma advances, the two are virtually in the same league stats wise. They both score 71.9 points per game and allow 63. The guard play between Trice and Buddy Hield will matchup, but Hield has size. Oklahoma has two 6’8 forwards and Dawson is just 6’6 but he can play 2-3 inches more than his size easily and he’s proven that. Michigan State also has 6’9 Matt Costello who is an aggressive rebounder. Oklahoma poses the toughest matchup Michigan State will have to face on their road to the Final Four, because of their size. But, if Michigan State can continue to shoot the three and be hot from the outside, they’ll cruise.

That leaves an Elite Eight matchup against NC State or the winner of Northern Iowa/Louisville. I had UNI vs. Michigan State in my Elite Eight for the East Region and I believe that will still happen after Louisville struggled against UC Irvine and barely hung on. NC State has proven they can win big games, just look at their ACC season and now Villanova, but they’re also streaky and unreliable.

If Michigan State draws Northern Iowa, they’ll move on exactly how they did against Virginia. Play tough, aggressive defense and make sure you keep the lead the whole game. Northern Iowa ranks fourth in defensive points allowed, but 223rd in the nation only scoring 65.4 a game. The key for Michigan State is Branden Dawson. If he can overpower Seth Tuttle, Michigan State rolls right into their ninth Final Four going for their first National Championship since 2000.

The three main players for Michigan State are Denzel Valentine, Travis Trice and Branden Dawson, and Dawson is the key to success. When Dawson is playing well, the whole team plays well. And with solid three point performances from a team that can light you up with Trice, Valentine and Forbes, the Spartans are dangerous. Don’t be surprised if another 7-seed wins the National Championship this season after Connecticut did last year. With Tom Izzo as your head coach, anything is possible.

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