NCAA Tournament 2019: Reranking the teams remaining in the Sweet 16

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 23: Brandon Clarke #15 and the Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrate after their win against the Baylor Bears in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Michigan State Spartans celebrate. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

6. Michigan State Spartans

Results: Wins over Bradley (76-65) and Minnesota (70-50)

Despite being awarded a No. 2 seed, many bickered regarding Michigan State’s placement of the bracket leading into the opening weekend. Many believed that they were “snubbed” of a No. 1 seed or that they were somehow punished by being placed in the same region as Duke. But they almost did not even make it to the second round as they received a major scare from Bradley on the opening day of the tournament. As is the expectation for top-seeded teams, though, the Spartans made some big plays in the final four minutes to pull away.

Then, in the second round, they were matched up with a fellow Big Ten team in Minnesota. And instead of “playing with their food”, the Spartans absolutely dismantled the Golden Gophers to move on. This second-round performance was certainly more indicative of what this team is capable of as a national title favorite. With Cassius Winston running the point, head coach Tom Izzo has an elite leader in his backcourt while the frontcourt consists of several dangerous options.

Michigan State has been one of the best college basketball programs in the nation for the last several years but they have been unable to cut down the final nets in recent attempts. In fact, 2000 was the last time that not only Michigan State won the title but the last time that any Big Ten team cut down the nets. Could this year change that?

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