Michigan State Basketball: A Dark Horse National Title Contender

The calendar has turned to March, which means college basketball is in full swing. Michigan State basketball is being unfairly overlooked. Three teams have dominated the title talks this year. Duke, Michigan, and Arizona are widely considered the only “true” title contenders. This praise has been rightfully earned as they all have looked the part.

Michigan State Basketball National Title Threats

The Spartans are not the most talented team on paper. In fact, they were not even ranked to start the season. Michigan State currently boasts a record of 25-5 and sits second in the Big Ten. They have found their success by following the age-old motto in East Lansing. Defend, Rebound, and Run.

Michigan State is ranked eighth in defensive efficiency in the nation. This squad forces teams into bad shots and erases second-chance points. They lead Division 1 in defensive rebounding, which quickly turns it into a transition bucket. The Spartans average 16.7 points in transition. This all equals a recipe for disaster for their opponents. Going a full 40 minutes with Michigan State is truly torture.

Michigan State basketball, jeremy fears, tre donaldson, michigan wolverines

Historic Point guards are a staple in East Lansing. Red-shirt sophomore Jeremy Fears Jr. has proven he fits the bill. His offensive game has taken a giant leap this season. Fears is leading the way in points per game for the Spartans (15.1). His most impactful skill is his passing. He leads the nation in assists per game (9.1), never panics, and always makes the right play.

Fears has shown he has the capability to take over the game and score at will. He has single-handedly won Sparty games this year. A trait that is key come tournament time.

Tom Izzo is called Mr. March for a reason. He has 8 Final Four appearances and a National Title to go with it. Izzo is known for getting the very most out of his players. This trend continues today. Izzo’s Spartans are battle-tested with an 8-4 Quad 1 record. They sit eighth in the AP standings and have won their last five in a row. His squad is streaking at the right time, once again.

It has been 7 years since Michigan State made its way to Minnesota. As always, this is a Spartan squad that has played the best teams in the country. They stick true to their roots to win games. A true superstar at the helm, in Fears, takes this team over the top. The Spartans are National Title threats. After almost being written off a few years ago, this has the makings to be the year Tom Izzo reaches his ninth Final Four.