Michigan State loaded for long March run
Best Round of 64 matchup: Clemson-New Mexico State. Everyone loves the 5-12 matchups, but this could be an entertaining game because points could come at a premium; both teams got here with stellar defense. If New Mexico State’s Zach Lofton can get going from three-point range, where he shoots almost 40%, he could keep the Aggies within range for a long time.
Potential upset: No. 11 seeds Arizona State and Syracuse were among the “last four in,” which is why they will meet in the First Four. But both teams — and this is especially true if Arizona State finds its way out of Dayton and heads to Detroit — showed the firepower (early in the season, anyway) to upend No. 6 TCU. Arizona State’s résumé includes victories vs. No. 1 seeds Xavier and Kansas. Syracuse’s path forward seems more difficult. But led by Tyus Battle and Frank Howard, the Orange own a win vs. Clemson and has Jim Boeheim’s trademark zone that causes is- sues if you haven’t seen it. TCU was very average in the second half of the season.
The sleeper: The debate over whether Oklahoma should have been in the field was legitimate — the Sooners lost eight of their last 10; after a first half with so much promise, their season spiraled into free fall. But go back and watch the early part of the season, when freshman phenom Trae Young was regularly drilling three-pointers from the logo and the Sooners were regularly drilling opponents.
The winner: Michigan State. The temptation is to pick No. 2 Duke, which features the most talented starting lineup in the 68-team field. Meanwhile, the No. 1 seed is not your typical Kansas team. These Jayhawks have very little depth and don’t have a lottery pick — and there’s also their dubious recent history in the NCAA tournament. No. 3 Michigan State might be lurking a little under the radar. In sophomore Miles Bridges, the Spartans have a superstar who’s headed to the NBA lottery. But be- yond Bridges, this team is loaded with a roster that could not only get to the Final Four, it could win it.