MSU ‘in a good place’ after earning bid to NCAA regional
After winning both the Big Ten regular-season and postseason titles, Michigan State punched its ticket to its third straight NCAA regionals. The Spartans learned on Monday that they’ll be heading to Florida next week to compete in the NCAA Gainesville Regional.
Mike Rowe, who recently was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for a third straight season, said he wasn’t worried about where Michigan State was headed as the team watched the announcement together in the Jenison Field House. But now that the field is set, Rowe said he likes Michigan State’s placement.
“I feel good about it,” Rowe told reporters. “Looking at the pairings…I think we’re in a good place.”
Michigan State has never advanced beyond regionals. Last season, the Spartans missed out after eventual NCAA runner-up Florida narrowly beat them by 0.15 points.
Michigan State will likely once again have to go toeto-toe with Florida if it wants to make it out of the first weekend. Despite the history, Rowe said Michigan State is “very OK” with Florida being in the same region.
“This team, this year, has risen to the occasion when we go against somebody who’s better than us,” Rowe said. “We bring our A-game when we’re competing against somebody that’s ranked higher. I think that’s good. I think that says a lot about their grit, their tenacity and everything like that, but that’s how we got to where we are.”
Each of the four regionals scattered across the country has two sessions, with the top two teams from each dual advancing to the regional finals. The two highest team allaround scores from the regional finals will advance to Fort Worth, Texas, for the championship weekend.
Michigan State, a No. 3 seed in its regional and No. 12 overall, will be pitted against second-seeded Utah as well as Towson and Maryland in the second round on April 5. Meanwhile, the later session will feature top-seeded Florida, No. 4 seed Missouri, Georgia and the winner of the play-in meet between Iowa State and Clemson.
The Gainesville Regional Final is scheduled for April 7.