Tom Izzo and Michigan State basketball made it a record 25 straight trips to the NCAA tournament with a chance to play for it all. The Spartans finished their season 19-12 and will be heading to Columbus to battle with the Trojans of USC in a No.7 and 10 seed game in the East region. Since 2016 Izzo has found a way out of the second weekend just one time (2019) since his loss to MTSU. Regardless of the season to this point with Tom Izzo at the helm there is always a chance that the Spartans find their way to make an unexpected run. This team does have some variables that help in terms of what I look for in a team in March. Let's look at the keys for the Spartans as they begin in Colombus.
Shoot the three
Michigan State lost a game at Illinois this season where they didn't make a single three point shot and didn't even look for it. From there it led to the final stretch of regular season games were MSU shot over 50% from three to close the last four games of the regular season. This team is top five in three-point percentage sitting at 4th with a 39.5% clip. Michigan State shot just (3-16) from deep in their loss at the Big Ten tournament Friday to Ohio State. Which was a drastic shift from the (12-20) mark they had on the Buckeyes during senior day. In the other three previous games against Iowa, Indiana and Nebraska Michigan State shot (37-65) from three which is 57% before their two games with Ohio State. Walker and Hauser I think need to be leading the charge shooting and look to do so. Akins has come along very nicely and I would hope he shoots where he can. Hauser, Walker and Akins are all shotting 42% or better from long range. Hauser went (4-6) from three with his 27 points in the first-round game from last season, let's hope for a similar spot this year.
Guard play
Michigan State is very lucky to have such depth in the backcourt with experience together now in last year's tournament. Walker, Hoggard and Akins are a special group that has the ability to take this team however far they want it. With that being said, this is what needs to happen guard wise in order to keep the Spartans moving. Walker has to look to shot from any place on the floor, look back to Purdue's game this year at home when Walker when for 30 points, also dating back to last year against Illinois when Walker went off in the second half giving up a glimpse of what he had to display. An aggressive Walker is going to need to come out this weekend. Hoggard has to lead, a lot of people may have taken note of the clip that surfaced of Hoggard and Izzo having a conversation he seemed unengaged in, but he doesn't deserve the flack he's been catching. Hoggard when he is locked in and seeing the floor is one of the better guards in the country, but we still have yet to see from start to finish a fully locked in Hoggard, which I hope comes out at the right time. Akins has really come along strong this season and his impact on both ends will be major, if he can somehow figure a way to get in double figures it would go a long way for this team. Guards win in March and I think this group alone can give the Spartans a chance.
Rotations, defense and health
Due to injuries this season the rotations have been all over the charts and no real consistency until recently but even then, there always seems to be a couple lineups that seem to not really flow with the game. It is clearly seen throughout each season Izzo wants to get his guys action and grow throughout the season. But we have seen at multiples times this season where it seems a lineup is riding well and then a sub is made and is thrown off. In March you stick with what you know is best and works. Let's look back briefly where I am coming from. The simple example is the Ben Carter situation in the 2018 Syracuse upset. For what Tillman became and how Jaren Jackson was managed during that game is always what comes to my head. A lineup I would like to see used more when able is the small ball lineup. Walker, Hoggard, Akins, Hall and Hauser is the group I like the most. The size is obviously not going to be there, but with how Sissoko has played on defense in recent stretches is not losing as much as people think. The small ball lineup stretches the floor and is a lineup I feel all five players have a chance to score and run the offense. This group was all there for last years loss to Duke and that has to factor in on being there before in the same seed line.
Closing
It is no secret that Izzo referred to as "Mr. March" will have quite the opportunity to add to that name with how this year has set up. Let's see what this March has in store.