Both Michigan State and the Wolverines breezed through their
opening two games by a combined 73 points and thus booked places in next weekend’s
sweet 16- the first time the two teams have ever simultaneously featured at
such a deep stage.
For the Wolverines it’s the first time they’ve ever produced
back to back double digit victories at the NCAA tournament and the furthest
they’ve progressed at the tournament in 20 years.
Most importantly it puts to bed their uninspiring finish to
the regular season which saw them go 6-6 to close out the season watching both
Indiana and Ohio State claim the two major Big Ten honours.
As for Michigan State their 11 and 22 point victories over
Valparaiso and Memphis are a great portent for an even deeper run by the
Spartans.
On the two occasions Michigan State won national titles each
run began with back to back double digit victories. Interestingly when they
last won the title in 2000 their run also started with a victory against Valpo.
If there is a drawback for both teams it’s that they’ll
likely enter next weekend’s games as the lower seeded team and against two of
the nation’s very best and most storied programs in Duke and Kansas.
Thankfully however, and judging by this weekend’s games, both
Michigan State and the Wolverines look to be in season best condition at the
most important time of the year and will both give themselves huge chances of
bringing a national title back to the Great Lakes.
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