March Madness hits WCC

By Matthew Bartow
Contributor

It’s that time of the year again. When the calendar turns from February to March, for sports fans it means one thing: March Madness. It’s the time when bracketologists salivate, dreams come true, bubbles pop, incredible upsets destroy brackets left and right, and ultimately, one lucky team survives six grueling rounds to win all the marbles. With both Michigan and Michigan State squarely in the mix, there is plenty of reason for excitement.

Michigan

Would the real Michigan men’s basketball team please stand up?

The Wolverines began the season with a program best 17-0 record, including dominant wins over Villanova and North Carolina, the two programs that have combined to win the last three national championships. Michigan was ranked as high as #2 in the AP Poll during the season. However, the Wolverines faltered down the stretch, losing five out of their last 14 games and finishing in 3rd place in the Big Ten Conference.

Christian Johnson, a WCC business student, said that despite recent struggles, he is optimistic that Michigan can make another deep run.

“This team is very interesting as they are not a typical [John] Beilein team,” Johnson said. “But with their defense, I think this team could make a deep run.”

Johnson makes a good point. While Michigan teams under coach John Beilein have typically been known for offense and great 3-point shooting, this year’s team wins games with their terrific defense. The Wolverines are currently ranked third in Division I in opponent points per game, allowing an average of 58.8 points per game. Offensively, however, Michigan has struggled, ranking 238th in Division I in points per game and 135th in Division I (sixth in the Big Ten) in 3-point shooting.

Key players for Michigan’s tournament run this year include Jon Teske and Charles Matthews. Teske’s offensive improvement from last year has been huge for the Wolverines, especially given the loss of Moe Wagner to the NBA. Matthews, who has been out for the last three games with an ankle injury, can boost the Wolverines’ 3-point shooting if he is able to return.

Perhaps no player will be more critical to Michigan’s chances than Zavier Simpson. Johnson said that as Michigan’s point guard, Simpson runs Michigan’s offense.

“He [Simpson] is integral for Michigan’s offense, with all the assists that he provides,” Johnson said. “His skyhook shot is pretty unbelievable too.”

Michigan State

Why is Michigan State so good? Two words: Cassius Winston.

Thanks in large part to the stellar play of Winston, recently named the Big Ten Player of the Year, the Spartans have done the impossible: lose two NBA first round draft picks in Jaren Jackson Jr. and Miles Bridges, and win their second consecutive Big Ten regular season championship. And it just gets better for the Spartans, as big man Nick Ward is expected to return for the Big Ten Tournament after missing the last five games with a hairline fracture in his left hand that required surgery.

In Ward’s absence, Xavier Tillman has stepped up to the plate for the Spartans. In the five games without Ward, Tillman has averaged 14.4 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game, with two double-doubles. He scored 14 and 17 points in MSU’s two victories over rival Michigan.

Other key players for the Spartans include Matt McQuaid, a decent ball-handling guard that can knock down the perimeter jumper. He currently is MSU’s best 3-point shooter at 42.7 percent (minimum 10 attempts). Kenny Goins is also a solid player for MSU, averaging 8.3 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game.

The Spartans are primed for a high seed in the NCAA tournament after winning the Big Ten regular season championship. ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi currently projects MSU as a #2 seed in the NCAA tournament. If the Spartans win the Big Ten Tournament, MSU might be destined for a top seed.

Head coach Tom Izzo has been known for making deep runs in the NCAA tournament at MSU, a reputation which has earned him the nickname “Mr. March.” However, in recent years, the Spartans have struggled in the tournament. MSU has failed to make it out of the first weekend the last three years, suffering upsets to double-digit seeds in both 2016 and 2018. So can the Spartans overcome the demons from previous tournaments? Or is another early exit on the horizon?

WCC March Madness Challenge

WCC is holding the March Madness Challenge, a bracket competition open to students, staff, facility members, and even mascots.

Matt Lucas, supervisor of WCC sports, said that the beauty of the March Madness Challenge is that anyone can participate, regardless of their knowledge of college hoops.

“You don’t really have to know everything about these teams to have fun,” Lucas said.

Lucas said that the March Madness Challenge will open March 18, and will remain open until 6 p.m. on March 20. Brackets can be obtained in the WCC Sports Office, and staff members will also be distributing them in the Student Center. Participants are allowed only one bracket.

The winner of the March Madness Challenge will receive a WCC sports “prize package,” Lucas said.

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