March Madness bubble winners and losers: Michigan State secures spot on big bubble day

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You can’t have March without Izzo.

Starting the season as the No. 4-ranked team in the country, expectations were high for Michigan State to compete for its first Final Four berth since 2019.

The season hasn’t lived up to those expectations, but it’ll be just enough to get in the bracket, with the Spartans set to appear in their 26th-straight NCAA Tournament after defeating Minnesota in the second round of the Big Ten tournament. It was close for a majority of the game, but Michigan State pulled away with a 15-2 run in the second half as it had an effective game shooting 55.6% from the field.

Projected to be a No. 9 seed in the latest USA TODAY Sports Bracketology prediction, Michigan State likely would’ve been safe even with a disappointing loss to the Golden Gophers. But the victory ensures Tom Izzo will extend the active Division I lead for consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. When the Spartans hear their name on Selection Sunday, it will be two short of tying Kansas’ all-time Division I record.

Schools across the country could only dream of having the continued success Izzo has produced in East Lansing, and that’s why he’s among the highest paid coaches in the game.

Some teams won’t be as gifted as Michigan State on Thursday, with several big games for bubble teams taking place in conference tournaments. As a result, contenders for an NCAA Tournament spot will rise or fall on what will be the biggest day to make a case to be in the field of 68. Spot will be clinched. Spots will be taken away. Here are the winners and losers from Thursday.

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo watches a play against Minnesota during the first half of Second Round of Big Ten tournament at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

WINNERS

Mississippi State

It looked like LSU had Mississippi State all figured out.

The Bulldogs were held without a field goal in the final seven minutes of the first half. Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State’s leading scorer, had…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/march-madness-bubble-winners-losers-220628469.html

Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2024-03-14 23:06:28

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