With the college basketball season in full swing, the perennial powerhouse Michigan State Spartans are once again in the conversation for a possible NCAA Tournament berth. However, many analysts and fans have begun to question whether or not Michigan State is a true “bubble” team. The following article will examine the case for and against Michigan State as a bubble team, and ultimately attempt to answer the question of whether or not the Spartans belong in the NCAA Tournament.
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What is a “Bubble” Team?
Before we dive into whether or not Michigan State is a bubble team, it’s important to understand what a “bubble” team actually is. A bubble team is a college basketball team that is on the “bubble” between making or not making the NCAA Tournament. This means that they are not completely out of the tournament but their chances are slim. This is usually due to their record, strength of schedule, or lack of marquee wins.
Michigan State’s Record
At the time of writing, the Michigan State Spartans are 11-9 with a 7-9 record in Big Ten play. This puts them in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten and not in a great position to make the NCAA Tournament. However, it’s important to remember that the Big Ten is one of the toughest conferences in college basketball and if Michigan State can finish strong, they may be able to make a run for the tournament.
Strength of Schedule
Another factor that needs to be taken into account when determining whether or not Michigan State is a bubble team is their strength of schedule. The Spartans have played a fairly tough schedule so far this season, with games against Duke, Michigan, Ohio State and Maryland. While they haven’t won all of these games, they have had some impressive wins, including an upset victory over Ohio State. This could be enough to put them in the tournament, depending on how they finish out the season.
Marquee Wins
The final factor to consider when determining if Michigan State is a bubble team is their marquee wins. The Spartans have had some impressive wins this season, including the aforementioned win over Ohio State, as well as wins over Minnesota and Iowa. However, they have also had some bad losses, including a loss to Nebraska and a loss to Penn State. These losses could be enough to keep them out of the tournament, depending on how the rest of their season goes.
Conclusion
So, is Michigan State a bubble team? At this point, it’s hard to say for sure. They have a record that is on the fringe of making the tournament, and their strength of schedule and marquee wins could be enough to get them in. However, they also have some bad losses that could keep them out. Ultimately, it’s up to the Spartans to prove they belong in the tournament, and they’ll have to finish the season strong in order to make that happen.