Heading into Saturday's men's college basketball games, Michigan State looked like a lock to earn a bid into the 2024 NCAA Tournament after going 1-1 with a close loss to Purdue in the Big Ten tourney.
The Spartans are still favored to be included in the field of 68 later tonight on 'Selection Sunday', but things got a whole lot dicier after yesterday's series of unexpected outcomes in conference tournaments across the country.
Four teams who would not have otherwise made the NCAA Tournament, known as "bid-stealers", won their conference tournament's yesterday to earn their league's autobid to 'the Big Dance'. Those teams include Oregon defeating Colorado in the Pac-12 tourney, NC State beating North Carolina in the ACC Tournament, New Mexico over San Diego State in the Mountain West tourney and Temple beating Florida Atlantic in the American tournament.
As a result, the bubble has moved down four spots and teams once in a good spot are now sweating it out as the selection show nears. Teams which earn automatic bids are not eligible to be included in the "First Four" round in Dayton, and Michigan State (if they are selected) could find itself having to compete in a 'play-in' game in order to advance.
The Spartans' resume will be stacked up against the likes of Colorado, TCU, Oklahoma, Florida Atlantic, St. John's, Virginia and Indiana State. I still think Michigan State will hear its named called tonight, but there's a whole lot more angst around East Lansing than there was 24 hours ago. If the Spartans are in, it sounds like their destined to play in the "First Four" on either Tuesday or Wednesday.
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