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Michigan State Basketball: Get to the know the Spartans for your bracket

By Ryan Kay

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 16: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans meets with head coach Tom Izzo in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 16: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans meets with head coach Tom Izzo in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 16: A member of the Michigan State basketball dance team performs during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 16: A member of the Michigan State basketball dance team performs during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Michigan State basketball is one of the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament. What do you need to know about the Spartans before finishing your bracket?

As a casual fan filling out your NCAA Tournament bracket because all of your co-workers are participating in the office pool contest or someone who truly believes they can win their bracket challenge and have bragging rights over their friends, predicting how far the Spartans will go in the tournament could end be the difference before first and second place. Here are some information, interesting facts, and helpful notes on this year’s Michigan State basketball team.

Everyone will hear from television, social media, and college basketball broadcasters that the Spartans have been without their third-leading scorer in Joshua Langford for most of the season, that Kenny Goins came to Michigan State as a preferred walk-on, and that Tom Izzo’s nickname is Mr. March. Here, though, are some things that you may or may not care to know about the Spartans that you may not already know.

Fun and Somewhat Useless Information

  • Magic Johnson can be seen in the stands cheering on the Spartans
  • Freshman Marcus Bingham Jr. likes to dance and celebrate on the bench
  • Former NBA Coach Fred Hoiberg’s son Jack is a walk-on freshmen for the Spartans
  • Sparty is a famous mascot
  • Tom Izzo is from Iron Mountain Michigan in the Upper Peninsula

Highlights from their Season

  • Michigan State won the Las Vegas Invitational championship by beating UCLA and Texas.
  • The Spartans swept Michigan by defeating them all three times they played.
  • Michigan State won a share of the Big Ten Regular Season Title making them back-to-back champions as they were outright Big Ten regular season conference champions last season
  • The Spartans won the Big Ten Conference tournament by beating Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

NCAA Tournament Facts about Michigan State

  • The Spartans have 13 wins against teams who are in the NCAA Tournament.
  • Under Tom Izzo, Michigan State has been to 22 straight NCAA Tournaments, 13 Sweet Sixteens, 9 Elite Eights, and 7 Final Fours.
  • Michigan State is the last Big Ten team to win a national championship back in 2000.
  • The Spartans have not made it to the Sweet Sixteen since they did it back in 2015.
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