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Michigan State Basketball: Why Spartans deserve a No. 1 seed for the Big Dance

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) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 11: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans smiles during a game against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in the second half at Breslin Center on November 11, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 11: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans smiles during a game against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in the second half at Breslin Center on November 11, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

They Won True Road Games against Quality Opponents

Others schools can claim that they have won games on neutral courts against high quality opponents but not many can even claim that they have defeated teams that are even considered to be in the running to make the NCAA Tournament on the road at their opponent’s home court. Michigan State on the road has beaten Florida, Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin. This does not include the Spartans neutral court victories over Texas, Ohio State and UCLA.

Even in defeat on the road, they took Louisville to overtime and lost at Indiana by one point. Other teams in consideration such as North Carolina lost at Michigan by 17 points and Michigan State won by seven at Michigan. When comparing Gonzaga’s true road victories versus Michigan State’s, the Bulldogs who are considered a lock for a #1 seed best true road wins where at Creighton and at St. Mary’s.

The NCAA committee which puts a big emphasis on team’s ability to win true road games, gives Michigan State’s a great chance to earn a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

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