Michigan State players celebrate during their opening-round win in the NCAA Tournament Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Michigan State answers critics with huge win to open NCAA Tournament

By Sean Keane | Last updated 3/21/24

In the days leading up to March Madness, Michigan State received plenty of flak for their 14 losses. They answered the critics in a big way Thursday.

Michigan State's Jaden Akins with the NASTY chasedown block ‍♂️

(via @TSN_Sports)
pic.twitter.com/SYSd5HAxtP
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 21, 2024

The Spartans rode a stifling defense to a 69-51 win over Mississippi State to open the NCAA Tournament, holding the Bulldogs to 37% shooting and out-rebounded them 35-29.

It was a strong response to the throngs of people complaining that Michigan State didn’t deserve a tournament bid (much less a nine seed) after a regular season in which they went 19-14.

Michigan State lost went 19-14 this season, with losses to:

James Madison, Wisconsin 2x, Minnesota, Iowa, Ohio St., and Indiana.

They will be dancing over the:

21-13 Providence Friars (no bad losses)
20-13 St. John’s Red Storm
20-12 Seton Hall Pirates (beat UConn)
— Big East Bar Room (@BigEastBarroom) March 17, 2024

There are many examples of people on social media expressing similar sentiments, albeit mostly with a great deal of profanity.

But Michigan State proved they were clearly a better team than Mississippi State on Thursday. There’s also an argument that the Spartans’ record didn’t reflect their true quality after the team lost a number of close games – including five losses of five or fewer points.

They didn’t leave it to luck this time, jumping out to a 5-0 lead that they would never relinquish. Michigan State was ahead for 39:05 in the contest, including the last 10:53 by double digits.

Their reward is a second-round matchup in which they will be heavy underdogs against top-seeded North Carolina. But after Thursday's dominant win, it’s hard to argue the Spartans didn’t belong in the Big Dance.

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