March Madness 2023: 5 upsets brewing for the Second Round

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G Jaden Akins, Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

March Madness Second Round upset picks

Michigan State over Marquette

Good coaching and perimeter shooting are often the keys to an upset in March Madness. Michigan State has both of those qualities in spade as the fourth-best three-point shooting team in the nation and a legendary NCAA Tournament coach in Tom Izzo.

The Spartans had a relatively quiet day on the perimeter, going just 5-of-14 from beyond the arc, so you would expect them to bounce back with a stronger effort in that department on Sunday. Izzo is also an excellent coach on the second day of a pod, going 24-7 when he has less than 48 hours to prepare for Michigan State’s next opponent.

Marquette has had a phenomenal year but they had a tough start to their 2-15 matchup against Vermont before pulling away late. Shaka Smart also hasn’t had a great track record as a tournament coach, failing to advance past the first weekend in eight NCAA Tournaments since taking VCU to the Final Four in 2011.

The recipe is there for Michigan State to score another memorable win for Izzo and advance to the Sweet 16. Don’t bet against the Spartans in this spot.

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