Big Ten Basketball: Look at the NCAA Tournament Ohio St & Michigan St

Posted at 6:00am — 3/21/2013

Michigan Basketball: A Look At The Big Ten Conferences Chances — Ohio St & Michigan St — Final Fortune Cookies — Part III

Ohio State and Michigan State both have high expectations to move forward through the NCAA Tournament brackets.

Ohio State is the hottest team in the Big Ten and maybe one of the hottest in the field. The turnovers have decreased, the bench has played much better, the scoring from others except Thomas has increased, and the same high level of defense remains.

Many think Ohio State got one of the easiest draws of any 1st or 2nd seed team. Iona should easily be dispatch by 20 points. The second round involves a game with either Notre Dame or Iowa State. Notre Dame always looks great going into the tournament, only to lose in the first or second game, time after time. Iowa State does not have near the athleticism and bulk of Ohio State. New Mexico or Arizona would be up in the next round. New Mexico is like Notre Dame, each year the Lobos appear to be the equal of the major players only to flop on the side of the road. Again, many “experts” claim this is the year. Arizona has athletic talent but is a PAC 12 mystery, just like every other PAC 12 team in the tournament. The flow next goes to a possible match-up with number one seed Gonzaga. The opinion here is that Gonzaga will be gone by then leaving Pittsburgh or Wisconsin. Wisconsin would be a fun match-up to watch, but the athletic talent favors Ohio State.

In short, Ohio State has a very high chance of going to the Final Four, and any team that gets to that level has a chance to bring home the big prize.

Michigan State is a three seed, and like Ohio State has a pretty favorable path. First off, is Valpo State, coached by Homer Drew’s son, the hero of the famous Valpo team that made a deep tournament run. This Valpo team is not as strong. Memphis is likely next, a team with a high level of talent, but questionable discipline and overall play. If all goes to plan, Michigan State may play one of he most important bracket games the entire tournament against Duke. Many pools will split like the Oregon Trail at this juncture. If the Spartans can survive this struggle, Louisville may still be lurking. If Michigan State can get through those two foes, back-to-back, then the team certainly would deserve the Final Four spot. The Spartans probably do not have as easy a path as Ohio State, but an upset of two could change any scenario big time.

Let the games begin.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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