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In most years, Michigan State is safely in the field and Selection Sunday is more about getting a good draw for a run in the NCAA Tournament. This year, fans are just crossing their fingers that they’ll just be part of March Madness.
While it’s not guaranteed the Spartans are dancing, things do seem to be pointing in that direction — according to numerous bracket projection experts.
Joe Lunardi of ESPN currently has Michigan State as one of the final teams to make the tournament and avoid playing in the “First Four” play-in games. The Spartans are currently listed as a No. 11 seed playing against USC in the opening round of Lunardi’s most up-to-date bracket.
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 14, 2021
Shelby Mast and Scott Gleeson of USA TODAY have the Spartans in a similar spot as Lunardi in their final projection that came out on Sunday morning. Michigan State is listed as a No. 11 seed playing Clemson in this projection from Mast and Gleeson.
CLICK HERE TO SEE USA TODAY BRACKET PROJECTION
Jerry Palm of CBS Sports is a little higher on the Spartans than ESPN and USA TODAY, with Michigan State sitting as a No. 10 seed in his most recent bracket projection that came out on Sunday morning. The Spartans are currently slated to play Oregon in Palm’s most recent projection.
One final indication that the Spartans will be dancing is from the Bracket Matrix — a tool that compiles bracket projections and provides an average seed and odds of making the NCAA Tournament. As of this morning, the Bracket Matrix had the Spartans sitting as the first 11 seed ahead of fellow bubble teams like UCLA, Wichita State, Louisville, Drake and Syracuse.
https://twitter.com/Slicknickshady/status/1371076794498039816
So what does all of this mean? Well, Spartans fans should feel pretty good about hearing Michigan State’s name called today during CBS’ Selection Show at 6 p.m. ET. However, we need to keep in mind that these are all just projections and that the selection committee could have a completely different view of the Spartans. So nothing is guaranteed at this point but at least we can feel relatively good about their chances at making a 23rd straight NCAA Tournament.
Either way, we’ll know soon enough.
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