What a fabulous tournament (as always) with a sufficient number of lower seeds winning to keep you on your toes and rooting for the underdogs. But the final game was between a couple of the #1 seeds (UConn and Purdue). Congratulations to the UConn Huskies who are this year’s National Champions in College Basketball!
The semi-final games (Saturday). UConn (#1 seed) defeated Alabama (#4 seed), and, Purdue (#1 seed) defeated North Carolina State (#11 seed).
The NCAA Tournament Final (Monday). UConn (#1 seed) defeated Purdue (#1 seed).
March Madness is in full swing and we are through the first weekend where the field has been whittled down from the original 68 teams to the “Sweet Sixteen.” The Spartans led off the entire tournament (1st game for the field of 64) and led from wire to wire against the higher seed (#8), Mississippi State. Their shots were falling and their defense was effective. And, despite double digits in turnovers, won by 18 points. Great start for the Spartans. But as luck would have it, the Spartans were unable to sustain themselves against the #1 seed, North Carolina, on Saturday and Michigan State’s season is over. Time will tell how the 2025 season will shake out, with graduations and the transfer portal, but hope remains high for another great season next year.
The first round games (Thursday and Friday) — upsets (wins by a lower seed) indicated in bold.
The West Regional North Carolina (#1 seed) defeated Wagner (#16 seed). Arizona (#2 seed) defeated Long Beach State University (#15 seed). Baylor (#3 seed) defeated Colgate (#14 seed). Alabama (#4 seed) defeated Charleston (#13 seed). Grand Canyon (#12 seed) defeated Saint Mary’s (#5 seed). Clemson (#6 seed) defeated New Mexico (#11 seed). Dayton (#7 seed) defeated Nevada (#10 seed) by three (3) points. Michigan State (#9 seed) defeated Mississippi State (#8).
The East Regional UConn (#1 seed) defeated Stetson (#16 seed). Iowa State (#2 seed) defeated South Dakota State (#15 seed). Illinois (#3 seed) defeated Morehead State (#14 seed). Yale (#13 seed) defeated Auburn (#4 seed) by two (2) points. San Diego State (#5 seed) defeated University of Alabama Birmingham (#12 seed) by four (4) points. Duquesne (#11 seed) defeated Brigham Young (#6 seed). by four (4) points. Washington State (#7 seed) defeated Drake (#10 seed) by five (5) points. Northwestern (#9 seed) defeated Florida Atlantic (#8 seed) in overtime.
The South Regional Houston (#1 seed) defeated Longwood (#16 seed). Marquette (#2 seed) defeated Western Kentucky (#15 seed). Oakland (#14 seed) defeating Kentucky (#3 seed) by four (4) points. Duke (#4 seed) defeated Vermont (#13 seed). James Madison (#12 seed) defeated Wisconsin (#5 seed). North Carolina State (#11 seed) defeating Texas Tech (#6 seed). Colorado (#10 seed) defeated Florida (#7 seed) by two (2) points. Texas A&M (#9 seed) defeated Nebraska (#8 seed).
The Midwest Regional Purdue (#1 seed) defeated Grambling (#16 seed). Tennessee (#2 seed) defeated St. Peter’s (#15 seed). Creighton (#3 seed) defeated Akron (#14 seed). Kansas (#4 seed) defeated Samford (#13 seed) by four (4) points. Gonzaga (#5 seed) defeated McNeese (#12 seed). Oregon (#11 seed) defeated South Carolina (#6 seed). Texas (#7 seed) defeated Colorado State (#10 seed). Utah State (#8 seed) defeated Texas Christian University (#9 seed).
The second round games (Saturday and Sunday) — upsets (wins by a lower seed) indicated in bold.
The West Regional (three of the top-four seed advanced) North Carolina (#1 seed) defeated Michigan State (#9 seed). Arizona (#2 seed) defeated Dayton (#7 seed). Alabama (#4 seed) defeated Grand Canyon (#12 seed). Clemson (#6 seed) defeated Baylor (#3 seed).
The East Regional (three of the top-four seeds advanced) UConn (#1 seed) defeated Northwestern (#9 seed). Iowa State (#2 seed) defeated Washington State (#7 seed). Illinois (#3 seed) defeated Duquesne (#11 seed). San Diego State (#5 seed) defeated Yale (#13 seed).
The South Regional (three of the top-four seeds advanced) Houston (#1 seed) defeated Texas A&M (#9 seed) by five (5) points in overtime. Marquette (#2 seed) defeated Colorado (#10 seed) by four (4) points. Duke (#4 seed) defeated James Madison (#12 seed). North Carolina State (#11 seed) defeated Oakland (#14 seed).
The Midwest Regional (three of the top-four seeds advanced) Purdue (#1 seed) defeated Utah State (#8 seed). Tennessee (#2 seed) defeated Texas (#7 seed). Creighton (#3 seed) defeated Oregon (#11 seed). Gonzaga (#5 seed) defeated Kansas (#4 seed).
The Spartans opened up the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday as the #8 seed facing Minnesota, the #9 seed. Following a sluggish start, the Spartans eventually woke up and started playing a little more competitively. Michigan State was able to pull away in the final minutes for the victory. Then, on to play the #1 seed, Purdue, on Friday. The Spartans still have no answer for Zach Edey, but their defense was sound and they hung around and even came back from a double-digit deficit) just to fall short yet again (lost by five points). Their offensive struggles cost them in this one, but come NCAA tournament time next week (if they make the field), the Spartans could be a dangerous team (if they continue to play like they did during the Big Ten Tournament). And, the Spartans post-season will continue as they were named to the field of 64 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament! Woot! Congratulations to the Illinois Fighting Illini, the Big Ten Tournament Champions, who defeated the Wisconsin Badgers in the final.
There are two (2) Big Ten teams in the AP top-25: Purdue (#3), and Illinois (#13).
Next up for the Spartans: Tom Izzo’s 26th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance as the #9 seed in the West Regional where they will face the #8 seed, Mississippi State on Thursday. Go Green!
The upsets this week included: Houston (#1) losing to Iowa State (#7). Purdue (#3) losing to unranked Wisconsin by one (1) point in overtime. North Carolina (#4) losing to unranked North Carolina State. Tennessee (#5) losing to unranked Mississippi State. Arizona (#6) losing to unranked Oregon. Creighton (#8) losing to unranked Providence by five (5) points. Kentucky (#9) losing to unranked Texas A&M. Duke (#11) losing to unranked North Carolina State by five (5) points. Kansas (#16) losing to unranked Cincinnati. Gonzaga (#17) losing to Saint Mary’s (#21). Utah State (#18) losing to unranked San Diego State. Alabama (#19) losing to unranked Florida. BYU (#20) losing to Texas Tech (#25). Washington State (#22) losing to unranked Colorado by six (6) points. Nevada (#23) losing to unranked Colorado State. Dayton (#24) losing to unranked Duquesne.
The close calls this week (won by six points or less [two scores] or in overtime) included: UConn (#2) defeating unranked St. John’s by five (5) points. Purdue (#3) defeating unranked Michigan State by five (5) points. Marquette (#10) defeating unranked Villanova by six (6) points in overtime. Illinois (#13) defeating unranked Ohio State by three (3) points. Illinois (#13) defeating unranked Wisconsin by six (6) points.
Top-25 match-ups won by the higher-ranked team included: Houston (#1) defeating Texas Tech (#25). UConn (#2) defeating Marquette (#10). Iowa State (#7) defeating Baylor (#14). Auburn (#12) defeating South Carolina (#15).
What a blown opportunity! This week, the Spartans had a couple of home games (Iowa on Tuesday and Ohio State on Sunday), and, once again the Spartans were favored in both. The Spartans ended up losing both home games this week (and both teams were in the bottom half of the conference standings)! Very frustrating indeed. Grrrr. I would sure love to have our team show up to play more consistently one of these days
There are only two (2) Big Ten teams remaining in the AP top-25: Purdue (#3), and Illinois (#12).
Next up for the Spartans: Purdue on Saturday (March 2nd). Go Green!
The upsets this week included: UConn (#1) losing to Creighton (#15). Arizona (#4) losing to Washington State (#21) by three (3) points. Duke (#8) losing to unranked Wake Forest by four (4) points. Baylor (#11) losing to BYU (#25). Illinois (#12) losing to unranked Penn State by one (1) point. Alabama (#13) losing to Kentucky (#17). Creighton (#15) losing to unranked St. Johns. Dayton (#16) losing to unranked George Mason by four (4) points. Kentucky (#17) losing to unranked LSU by one (1) point. San Diego State (#19) losing to unranked Utah State by five (5) points. Washington State (#21) losing to unranked Arizona State. Colorado State (#22) losing to unranked New Mexico by two (2) points. Colorado State (#22) losing to unranked UNLV by six (6) points. Texas Tech (#23) losing to unranked UCF. BYU (#25) losing to unranked Kansas State.
The close calls this week (won by six points or less [two scores] or in overtime) included: Houston (#2) defeating Baylor (#11) by six (6) points. Tennessee (#5) defeating unranked Missouri by five (5) points. Alabama (#13) defeating Florida (#24) by five (5) points in overtime. Saint Mary’s (#18) defeating unranked San Francisco by four (4) points. Texas Tech (#23) defeating unranked TCU by one (1) point.
Top-25 match-ups won by the higher-ranked team included: Houston (#2) defeating Iowa State (#6). Houston (#2) defeating Baylor (#11) by six (6) points. Alabama (#13) defeating Florida (#24) by five (5) points in overtime.
The Spartans are coming off of a huge win against a top-10 team (Illinois) over the weekend. Both of their games this week are on the road (@ Penn State and @ Michigan). Once again, they are favored in both, but we all know how hard it is to win on the road. On Wednesday, the Spartans took care of business and won easily. Despite falling behind a bit early, the Spartans managed to regain the lead with 13 minutes before halftime and never trailed for the remainder of the game. Then on Saturday, a rivalry game on the road at Michigan was a back and forth game of runs until the 7:00 minute mark left in the game when the Spartan’s defense held the Wolverines scoreless for the remainder of the game to pull away for the important road win. So, a great week for the Spartans by getting a couple of elusive road wins. Despite their horrible start to the B1G season (1-4), with this win, the Spartans have risen to 3rd in the Conference (tied with Wisconsin and Northwestern). Woot!
There are three (3) Big Ten teams in the AP top-25: Purdue (#2), Illinois (#14), and Wisconsin (#20).
Next up for the Spartans: a couple of home games: Iowa (on Tuesday) and Ohio State (on Sunday). Go Green!
The upsets this week included: Purdue (#2) losing to unranked Ohio State by four (4) points. Kansas (#6) losing to unranked Texas Tech. North Carolina (#7) losing to unranked Syracuse. South Carolina (#11) losing to Auburn (#13). South Carolina (#12) losing to unranked LSU by one (1) point. Auburn (#13) losing to Kentucky (#22). BYU (#19) losing to unranked Oklahoma State. Wisconsin (#20) losing to unranked Iowa by two (2) points in overtime. Virginia (#21) losing to unranked Pittsburgh. Indiana State (#23) losing to unranked Illinois State. Indiana State (#23) losing to unranked Southern Illinois by five (5) points. Florida Atlantic (#24) losing to unranked South Florida by four (4) points.
The close calls this week (won by six points or less [two scores] or in overtime) included: UConn (#1) defeating Marquette (#4). Marquette (#4) defeating unranked Butler by six (6) points. Illinois (#14) defeating unranked Maryland by five (5) points. BYU (#19) defeating unranked UCF by two (2) points. Virginia (#21) defeating unranked Wake Forest by two (2) points.
Top-25 match-ups won by the higher-ranked team included: Kansas (#6) defeating Oklahoma (#25). Baylor (#12) defeating Oklahoma (#25).
Following their horrible start to the season, the Spartans have played themselves back into fourth place in the B1G (tied with Northwestern). This week will prove to be a good test for Michigan State as they travel to Minnesota on Tuesday, then host #10 Illinois on Saturday. If you believe in the metrics, the Spartans are favored to win both. Time will tell. Well, bad free throw shooting and a general lack of offense at the end of the game (after Tyson Walker left the game with an injury and was out for several minutes) saw the Spartans squander a 9-point lead at Minnesota to end up losing by three. Just when they looked like they’ve turned a corner this season, they take a step back. This was a very winnable game, but we will have to settle for the disappointing less. Redemption was found on Saturday when the Spartans hosted the Fighting Illini of Illinois. The back and forth game saw no one really taking control until the closing minutes when the Spartans were able to pull away a bit to secure the victory against a top-10 team.
There are three (3) Big Ten teams in the AP top-25: Purdue (#2), Illinois (#10), and Wisconsin (#11).
Next up for the Spartans: a couple of road games (surprisingly enough, the Spartans are favored in both of these games as well). Penn State on Wednesday and Michigan on Saturday. Go Green!
The upsets this week included: North Carolina (#3) losing to unranked Clemson by four (4) points. Kansas (#4) losing to unranked Kansas State by five (5) points in overtime. Tennessee (#6) losing to unranked Texas A&M. Illinois (#10) losing to unranked Michigan State. Wisconsin (#11) losing to unranked Michigan by four(4) points. Wisconsin (#11) losing to unranked Rutgers. Auburn (#12) losing to unranked Florida. Kentucky (#17) losing to unranked Gonzaga by four (4) points. Dayton (#18) losing to unranked VCU by two (2) points. Creighton (#19) losing to unranked Providence by four (4) points in overtime. Florida Atlantic (#20) losing to unranked UAB by three (3) points in overtime. BYU (#21) losing to unranked Oklahoma. Utah State (#22) losing to unranked Nevada. San Diego State (#24) losing to unranked Nevada by four (4) points. New Mexico (#25) losing to unranked UNLV by three (3) points.
The close calls this week (won by six points or less [two scores] or in overtime) included: North Carolina (#3) defeating unranked Miami by three (3) points. Kansas (#4) defeating Baylor (#13) by three (3) points. Houston (#5) defeating unranked Cincinnati by five (5) points. Baylor (#13) defeating Texas Tech (#23) by six (6) points. Iowa State (#14) defeating unranked Texas by five (5) points. South Carolina (#15) defeating unranked Ole Miss by three (3) points. BYU (#21) defeating unranked Kansas State by six (6) points.
Top-25 match-ups won by the higher-ranked team included: Kansas (#4) defeating Baylor (#13) by three (3) points. Auburn (#12) defeating Alabama (#16). Baylor (#13) defeating Texas Tech (#23) by six (6) points.
The Spartans have a couple of home games this week and it was a good week with the Spartans winning both. On Tuesday the Wolverines came out scorching hot (shooting-wise) in the first half sinking 60% of their shots and had a 2-point halftime advantage (the Spartans shot 50%). However, in the second half, the Spartan defense intensified and the Wolverine shooting cooled off considerably (25%) to allow the Spartans to cruise to victory. The win came on coach Tom Izzo’s birthday and was his 700th career victory. Then on Saturday, Michigan State led for most of the game (Maryland had the lead for only 13 seconds), but never by double digits (until late) as the Terrapins were able to always keep it close. However, the Spartans were able to pull away in the last few minutes of the game for the home victory.
There are three (3) Big Ten teams in the AP top-25: Purdue (#2), Wisconsin (#6), and Illinois (#14).
Next up for the Spartans: on the road at Minnesota (Tuesday) and then home to face #14 Illinois (Saturday). Go Green!
The upsets this week included: North Carolina (#3) losing to unranked Georgia Tech by one (1) point. Houston (#4) losing to Kansas (#8). Tennessee (#5) losing to unranked South Carolina by four (4) points. Wisconsin (#6) losing to unranked Nebraska. Kentucky (#10) losing to unranked Florida by three (3) points in overtime. Iowa State (#12) losing to Baylor (#18) by two (2) points. Creighton (#13) losing to unranked Butler by one (1) point. Texas Tech (#15) losing to TCU (#25). Texas Tech (#15) losing to unranked Cincinnati by three (3) points. Utah State (#17) losing to unranked San Diego State. New Mexico (#19) losing to unranked Boise State. Oklahoma (#23) losing to unranked UCF. TCU (#25) losing to unranked Texas.
The close calls this week (won by six points or less [two scores] or in overtime) included: Purdue (#2) defeating unranked Northwestern in overtime. Purdue (#2) defeating Wisconsin (#6) by six (6) points. Houston (#4) defeating unranked Texas by four (4) points in overtime. Marquette (#9) defeating unranked Villanova by five (5) points. Illinois (#14) defeating unranked Nebraska by three (3) points in overtime. Dayton (#21) defeating unranked St. Bonaventure by five (5) points.
Top-25 match-ups won by the higher-ranked team included: Purdue (#2) defeating Wisconsin (#6) by six (6) points. North Carolina (#3) defeating Duke (#7). Tennessee (#5) defeating Kentucky (#10).
The Spartans only had one game this week (on the road, on a Friday — more “rest” than usual), but AT Wisconsin (#13) just was too much to overcome and the Spartans were unable to get the victory. Alas.
There are three (3) Big Ten teams in the AP top-25: Purdue (#2), Illinois (#10), and Wisconsin (#13). The parity in college basketball is as evident as ever with all of the ranked teams being challenged by unranked teams week after week.
Next up for the Spartans: at home to face the Wolverines of Michigan on Tuesday, and at home to face the Terrapins of Maryland on Saturday (whom we just defeated on their court nine days ago). Go Green!
The upsets this week included: Kentucky (#6) losing to unranked South Carolina. Kansas (#7) losing to Iowa State (#23) by four (4) points. Auburn (#8) losing to unranked Alabama by four (4) points. Auburn (#8) losing to unranked Mississippi State by six (6) points. Arizona (#9) losing to unranked Oregon State by three (3) points. Illinois (#10) losing to unranked Northwestern by five (5) points in overtime. Oklahoma (#11) losing to unranked Texas. Oklahoma (#11) losing to Texas Tech (#20) by one (1) point. Baylor (#15) losing to unranked TCU by three (3) points in triple overtime. Dayton (#16) losing to unranked Richmond by five (5) points. Memphis (#19) losing to unranked UAB Colorado State (#24) losing to unranked Nevada. Colorado State (#24) losing to unranked Wyoming by three (3) points in overtime.
The close calls this week (won by six points or less [two scores] or in overtime) included: Kentucky (#6) defeating unranked Arkansas by six (6) points. Kansas (#7) defeating unranked Cincinnati by five (5) points. Duke (#12) defeating unranked Clemson by one (1) point. Wisconsin (#13) defeating unranked Minnesota by two (2) points. Utah State (#18) defeating unranked Boise State by six (6) points in overtime. Texas Tech (#20) defeating Oklahoma (#11) by one (1) point. Florida Atlantic (#22) defeating unranked by North Texas by three (3) points. Iowa State (#23) defeating Kansas (#7) by four (4) points.
Top-25 match-ups won by the higher-ranked team included: Houston (#4) defeating BYU (#21).
After all of the upsets from last week, there was a major shake-up among the top-25. The Spartans started off the week at home facing the Golden Gophers of Minnesota. And, while the Spartans led the entire first half, the Gophers battled back in the second half to make it a back-and-forth game until the last couple of minutes when Michigan State was able to pull away for the victory. The Spartans then went on the road yesterday to visit the Terrapins of Maryland. This game was a story of two halves. The Spartans were dominant in the first quarter (offensively and defensively) to lead by twelve (12) at the half. But the second half seemed like it was all Maryland offensively. The Spartans dug deep and hung on to win in a pivotal road game to move to 4-4 in the Big Ten!
There are three (3) Big Ten teams in the AP top-25: Purdue (#2), Wisconsin (#11), and Illinois (#14).
Next up for the Spartans: on the road to visit the Badgers of Wisconsin (Friday) . Go Green!
The upsets this week included: Kansas (#3) losing to unranked West Virginia by six (6) points. Duke (#7) losing to unranked Pittsburgh by four (4) points. Baylor (#9) losing to unranked Kansas State by four (4) points in overtime. Baylor (#9) losing to unranked Texas by two (2) points. Memphis (#10) losing to unranked South Florida by one (1) point. Memphis (#10) losing to unranked Tulane by two (2) points. Wisconsin (#11) losing to unranked Penn State by four (4) points. Utah State (#16) losing to unranked New Mexico. TCU (#19) losing to unranked Cincinnati by four (4) points in overtime. TCU (#19) losing to Iowa State (#24) by one (1) point. BYU (#20) losing to Texas Tech (#25). Ole Miss (#22) losing to unranked LSU.
The close calls this week (won by six points or less [two scores] or in overtime) included: UConn (#1) defeating unranked Villanova by one (1) point. North Carolina (#4) defeating unranked Louisville by four (4) points. Arizona (#12) defeating unranked UCLA by six (6) points. Oklahoma (#15) defeating unranked Cincinnati by four (4) points. Marquette (#17) defeating unranked St. John’s by one (1) point. Creighton (#18) defeating unranked Seton Hall by three (3) points in triple overtime. Dayton (#21) defeating unranked Saint Louis by five (5) points. Florida Atlantic (#23) defeating unranked UTSA in overtime. Iowa State (#24) defeating TCU (#19) by one (1) point.
Top-25 match-ups won by the higher-ranked team included: UConn (#1) defeating Creighton (#18). Houston (#5) defeating Texas Tech (#25). Auburn (#13) defeating Ole Miss (#22). BYU (#20) defeating Iowa State (#24).
The Spartans lost a heartbreaker on Thursday on the road at Illinois. They played well enough to win, but came up just short on the scoreboard losing by three. Yesterday, the Spartans took care of business at home against Rutgers and pulled away in the second half for the easy win. The schedule eases up a bit moving through the rest of the Big Ten with a lot of winnable games still on the schedule. This veteran team just needs to find their mojo and put it all together before it is too late in the season.
There are three (3) Big Ten teams in the AP top-25: Purdue (#1), Illinois (#10), and Wisconsin (#15). Purdue will probably drop off the #1 line after losing to Nebraska, but a lot of the top-25 teams lost this week, so the shake-up may not be too severe. And, as of January 9th, there are no undefeated teams remaining in Division I college basketball.
Next up for the Spartans: at home to face Minnesota (Thursday) then on the road to visit Maryland (Sunday). Go Green!
The upsets this week included: Purdue (#1) losing to unranked Nebraska. Houston (#2) losing to unranked Iowa State by four (4) points. Houston (#2) losing to unranked TCU by one (1) point. Kansas (#3) losing to unranked UCF by five (5) points. Tennessee (#5) losing to unranked Mississippi State by five (5) points. Kentucky (#6) losing to unranked Texas A&M by five (5) points. Arizona (#8) losing to unranked Washington State by three (3) points. Oklahoma (#9) losing to unranked TCU. Illinois (#10) losing to unranked Maryland. Marquette (#11) losing to unranked Butler. Colorado State (#17) losing to unranked Boise State. San Diego State (#19) losing to unranked New Mexico. Clemson (#21) losing to unranked Virginia Tech. Gonzaga (#23) losing to unranked Santa Clara by one (1) point. Texas (#25) losing to unranked West Virginia by three (3) points.
The close calls this week (won by six points or less [two scores] or in overtime) included: UConn (#4) defeating unranked Xavier by five (5) points. Tennessee (#5) defeating unranked by Georgia by six (6) points. Illinois (#10) defeating unranked Michigan State by three (3) points. Duke (#11) defeating unranked Georgia Tech by five (5) points. Memphis (#13) defeating unranked by six (6) points in overtime. Baylor (#14) defeating unranked Cincinnati by three (3) points. BYU (#18) defeating unranked UCF by five (5) points. San Diego State (#19) defeating unranked San Jose State by three (3) points. Utah State (#20) defeating unranked UNLV by one (1) point. Creighton (#22) defeating unranked St. Johns by one (1) point. Florida Atlantic (#24) defeating unranked Tulane by one (1) point. Texas (#25) defeating unranked Cincinnati by one (1) point.
Top-25 match-ups won by the higher-ranked team included: Kansas (#3) defeating Oklahoma (#9). Baylor (#14) defeating BYU (#18).
The Gun-Carryin' Librarian 