Busting Brackets
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: Comparing the 2018-19 Spartans to last year’s squad

By Ryan Kay

COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: Head Coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans shouts instructions to his team in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: Head Coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans shouts instructions to his team in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 8
Next
Michigan State Basketball
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with his team during the second half at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-59. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Last season’s Michigan State Basketball squad ended their season on a disappointing note, this year’s Spartan team can learn from their mistakes and make a run at a Final Four and more.

Even though Michigan State Basketball has had a great season thus far this season, many naysayers and non-believers will point to last season’s disappointing 2nd round Tournament loss to Syracuse as a reason to be cautious. Those same fans, alums, and cynic non-believers will also say that last season’s team lost twice to Michigan and until the Spartans beat the Wolverines they will not begin to truly believe in this Spartans team.

Lastly, the naysayers may say that with the loss of two now NBA lottery picks, Michigan State does not have the talent to make it to a Final Four this season. Even though those points have validity and legitimacy, let’s look at why this season’s team has what it takes to make a Final Four run and has certain elements about them that separate them from last season’s team.

Comparing The Two Teams Accomplishments

Highlights of 2017-2018 Michigan State Team

30 Wins

Big Ten Regular Season Champions

Champions of the Victory Tournament of Phil Knight Invitational

Key Victories: North Carolina (PK80), UConn, Big 5 Conference wins: Notre Dame, Big Ten key wins: Maryland (Twice), Wisconsin (three times), Indiana (twice), Purdue, Iowa (away) and Ohio State (three times).

Key Contributors/Players now in NBA:

Miles Bridges (Charlotte Hornets), Jaren Jackson (Memphis Grizzlies)

Highlights of 2018-2019 Michigan State Team

18-2 Record

1st Place in the Big Ten

Champions of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational

Key Victories:  Big 5 Conferences wins: Texas, UCLA, and Florida Big Ten key wins: Maryland,  Purdue, Nebraska (away), Iowa (Twice) and Ohio State (away).

Key Contributors: Cassius Winston and Nick Ward

Home/Michigan State Spartans