Michigan State Basketball: How the Spartans reached the Final Four
By Brian Rauf
What a national title would mean for Michigan State
A national championship means different things to different people. For the fans, it’s obvious – you’re the best team in the country with bragging rights over everyone else. For a program, it adds legitimacy. Michigan State is already a blueblood, but to add a third banner to the rafters would be to add to their place in the sport’s pantheon. They would be the ninth school with three national championships, a place where only the elite live (UCLA, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina, Duke, UConn, Kansas, Villanova).
Another title would solidify Tom Izzo as one of the best coaches the sport has ever seen. His legacy is already secure with eight Final Fours and one national championship on his resume, but winning a second title would silence any critics he has.
For Cassius Winston, he would move into that Magic Johnson/Mateen Cleaves class of Michigan State legends that is almost mythical. He’d also mark his place in March Madness folklore as the latest in a line of great players to almost singlehandedly lead a team to a title.
Next. Top takeaways from the Elite Eight. dark
Michigan State doesn’t have to prove anything to anybody. They’re a great team, a blueblood program, and they’ve already surpassed all realistic expectations for this year. But the Spartans are back in a place they are used to and can accomplish something truly remarkable – all it takes is two more wins.