March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for college basketball fans. Every year, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament brings out the best in the best teams from around the country. But will Michigan State University (MSU) be included in the festivities for 2022?
Michigan State Basketball History
Michigan State has a long and storied history in the sport of basketball. The Spartans have been to the NCAA Tournament a whopping 22 times, and have been crowned champions twice (1957 and 2000). They have also made the Sweet Sixteen eleven times, the Elite Eight seven times, and the Final Four four times. All of these successes have helped solidify the Spartans as one of the premier programs in the nation.
Recent Performance
The Spartans have had a solid run of success in recent years. They have made the NCAA Tournament six times in the last eight years and have made the Sweet Sixteen four times in that span. In 2021, they made it all the way to the Elite Eight before being eliminated by UCLA.
Michigan State’s 2022 Outlook
The Spartans have a talented squad heading into the 2022 season. The team is led by junior guard Rocket Watts, who averaged 15.5 points per game last season. He is joined by redshirt senior forward Joey Hauser, who was a transfer from Marquette University. He averaged 14.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last season. This duo is complemented by an experienced supporting cast, which includes juniors Malik Hall and Joshua Langford, as well as redshirt sophomore Aaron Henry.
The Spartans also have a solid recruiting class coming in for 2022, which includes four-star prospects Jaden Akins and Pierre Brooks II. This class is expected to make an immediate impact and could be the difference between Michigan State making the NCAA Tournament and not.
The 2021-22 Schedule
The Spartans will face a tough schedule in 2021-22, which includes games against Duke, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, and Purdue. These will all be important games for the Spartans as they try to prove that they are still a top-tier program. The non-conference schedule also includes games against UCLA, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia, which will be important for the Spartans to prove they can compete with the best teams in the country.
Conclusion
Michigan State is a program that has consistently been in contention for the NCAA Tournament, and this season should be no different. The Spartans have the talent and experience to make a deep run and potentially make it back to the Final Four. The 2021-22 schedule will be tough, but the Spartans have the pieces in place to make a strong run and hopefully make it back to the NCAA Tournament for 2022.