After knocking out hated Duke, Michigan State has earned the honor of being America’s team for the rest of the NCAA Tournament.
All season, Duke and Zion Williamson dominated the headlines. Somehow, the constantly hated program was able to morph itself into America’s team on the back of Williamson’s talent and must-see athletic ability. The Blue Devils were the heavy favorites to cut down the nets both in Las Vegas and for many amateurs in bracket pools, however, their season ended prematurely at the hands of Michigan State, who now holds the mantle as America’s Team.
With just two games standing between Izzo and his second national championship, the upset over Duke turned the Spartans into the team American can rally behind for knocking out the hated Blue Devils.
As much as people hopped on Williamson’s bandwagon, Duke still isn’t the most beloved team nationally. Add in the influx of North Carolina fans enjoying the Blue Devils falling short, there’s an argument to be made that the title of America’s team belongs to Michigan State.
This Spartans team lost Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr. to the 2018 NBA Draft, and junior guard Josh Langford to injury two months ago. The star power for this group begins and ends with Big Ten Player of the Year, Cassius Winston. All season, Winston has powered this team above and beyond expectations. They won a share of the Big Ten regular-season title, won the Big Ten Conference Tournament, swept their games against rival Michigan, and are now on their way to the Final Four.
The increased production from role players Matt McQuaid, Aaron Henry, and Xavier Tillman has helped this team get to Minneapolis. Of the four teams that made it, the Spartans are the closest to the host site. There will be a definite green and white tinge to the crowd next weekend, and with the way this season has gone it isn’t out of the question for that tinge to spread across the nation too.