Get Ready for Michigan State's March Madness Showdown Against New Mexico!
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team is gearing up for its 27th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance this Sunday, as they take on the New Mexico Lobos in a highly anticipated second-round clash in the South region.
Ranked as the No. 2 seed, the Spartans (28-6) will face off against the No. 10 seed Lobos (27-7) in Cleveland, Ohio. This matchup promises to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to advance further in the tournament.
In their first-round game, Michigan State held a narrow five-point lead at halftime but ultimately cruised to a decisive 87-62 victory over Bryant. On the other hand, New Mexico pulled off an impressive win against No. 7 seed Marquette, defeating them 75-66 on Friday night.
Michigan State's remarkable streak of 27 consecutive tournament appearances is not only a Big Ten record but also the second-longest active streak in NCAA history. This achievement highlights the program's consistent excellence over the years.
Tip-off for the Spartans' second-round game is set for 8:40 p.m. ET at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. Fans can catch all the action live on TNT, so mark your calendars!
The Spartans have a rich history in the NCAA Tournament, having claimed national championships twice. Their first title came in 1979 under the legendary coach Jud Heathcote, led by none other than Magic Johnson. They secured their second championship in 2000, with standout performances from Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson in a victory over Florida.
In addition to their championships, Michigan State has also finished as national runner-up in 2009, when they faced off against North Carolina in a championship game held at Ford Field in Detroit.
With a total of 38 NCAA Tournament appearances, the Spartans boast the sixth-most Final Four appearances, having reached this stage 10 times (1957, 1979, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2019). They have also made it to the Sweet 16 on 21 occasions, including a run in 2023.
Michigan State has an impressive NCAA Tournament record of 74-36 and has successfully advanced past either the First Four or First Round in each of the last three years. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Spartans are projected as 7.5-point favorites in this matchup, with the over/under set at 147.5.
In terms of player performance, MSU is led by senior guard Jaden Akins and freshman guard Jase Richardson, who average 12.6 and 12.1 points per game, respectively. On the other side, New Mexico's junior guard Donovan Dent stands out as the leading scorer, averaging an impressive 20.6 points per game.
As the Spartans prepare for this crucial game, fans are buzzing with excitement, eager to see if Michigan State can continue its tournament success and make a deep run this March Madness!
