The Michigan State basketball team has, along with the likes of Kansas, been named the heavy favorites for the NCAA Tournament as of late. Whether it be from Vegas or analysts across the country, the Spartans are being widely projected to win their third national championship. That comes with good reason. The Spartans have first-team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year Denzel Valentine. They also have two second-team All-Big Ten honorees in the sharp-shooting Bryn Forbes and double-double machine Matt Costello. However, the most obvious reason the nation is starting to jump on the Michigan State bandwagon, as they do every year at this time, is because they have Mr. March pacing the sidelines. Collectively, the Spartans lead the nation in numerous categories that typically result in wins such as rebounding percentage, defensive field goal percentage, scoring margin and assist-to-turnover ratio. Mar 5, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts from the sidelines during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports Even Tom Izzo and Valentine have went so far to say that they feel this group is going to be the first one since 2000 to bring a national championship to East Lansing. With all of that, it is quite understandable that the Spartans are the favorites to win it all. However, with the way they have played lately, this is also starting to look like a team that could be looking too far ahead. Before you comment with your “They won’t look ahead because they have Izzo,” let me remind you that Izzo’s teams in the past have sometimes skipped beyond the Big Ten Tournament to understandably focus on the bigger prize. …
Continue Reading: Michigan State Basketball: Will Spartans lose focus in Big Ten Tournament?
