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It all comes down to this. The emotions of Championship Week are unrivaled. Who doesn’t love the blood, sweat and buzzer beaters? Attempting to nail who will represent its league in the Big Dance, the Big Noise gives his conference tournament leans. Merry March Madness!
The pick — Michigan State to win Big Ten Tournament (+250, BetMGM)
The Sparty Party continues to bump.
Another keg just tapped. A killer Spotify playlist just started. And the attractive people in attendance adorn welcoming eyes.
With Saint Patrick’s Day on the immediate horizon and the Spartans playing peak basketball, it’s only appropriate to chug multiple green beer pints.
Admittedly, this writer wrote off Tom Izzo’s club a few weeks back. Fumble. Questioned due to inconsistent guard play and steady outside bricks laid, Michigan State warranted reservations. It was bound to undergo a correction, though. One did occur, albeit briefly.
Emerging from the emendation in mid-February, the Spartans picked up sharpened swords and went to war, slicing and dicing any adversary who dared challenge them. Entering this week’s action in Indianapolis, they’re owners of a seven-game winning streak, having recorded impressive triumphs over Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin and archrival Michigan (twice).
[ Bracket Big Board: Brad Evans' latest NCAA Tournament projections ]
Over the last month, Shawn Respert U is No. 10 overall, according to BartTorvik. During the eight-game stretch, MSU is a modest No. 54 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, but it ranks No. 1 in all of college basketball in adjusted defensive efficiency, allowing only 0.891 points per possession.
And, as evidenced by the Spartans’ No. 22 slotting in defensive rebounding percentage, they energetically blast the glass, limiting opponents to several one-and-done possessions.
Most importantly for the pride of East Lansing, Jase Richardson is spewing molten lava. The sizzling freshman guard scored at least 15 points in four of his last five games. He’s added a much needed spark to an otherwise flameless offense.
Izzo has guided the Green and White to six Big Ten Tournament titles in his 29 years at the helm. Maryland or possibly a reborn Illinois will challenge him, but Michigan State’s top-half path isn’t rocky. Wisconsin and UCLA are respectable foes, but they’re somewhat small hurdles.
In Indy, the raging Spartans shindig enters legendary territory.