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Robert Bondy

MSU with probable path to Sweet 16 in latest NCAA Tournament bracket prediction from Andy Katz

Could Michigan State reach the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019 this year? I’m not particularly high on those chances but this bracket draw in Andy Katz’ updated NCAA Tournament prediction has me thinking otherwise.

Katz released an updated bracket prediction for the 2023 NCAA Tournament on Sunday, which listed Michigan State as a No. 5 seed. This bracket prediction appears to have been released after Michigan State’s loss at Indiana so it seems like Katz is particularly high on the Spartans.

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In total, Katz has 10 Big Ten teams dancing in his updated bracket prediction. See where Katz has each of these Big Ten teams in his last bracket prediction, and my thoughts on this potential NCAA Tournament draw for the Spartans below:

Illinois

Seed / Region: No. 7 seed in East Region

First Round Opponent: No. 10 seed Arizona State

Indiana

Seed / Region: No. 6 seed in West Region

First Round Opponent: No. 11 seed Pitt

Iowa

Seed / Region: No. 8 seed in Midwest Region

First Round Opponent: No. 9 seed Missouri

Click here for more coverage from Hawkeyes Wire on Iowa basketball

Maryland

Seed / Region: No. 11 seed in South Region

First Round Opponent: No. 6 seed Providence

Ohio State

Seed / Region: No. 11 seed in Midwest Region

First Round Opponent: No. 11 seed Memphis

Click here for more coverage from Buckeyes Wire on Ohio State basketball

Penn State

Seed / Region: No. 12 seed in South Region

First Round Opponent: No. 12 seed USC

Click here for more coverage from Nittany Lions Wire on Ohio State basketball

Purdue

Seed / Region: No. 1 seed in South Region

First Round Opponent: No. 16 seed SE Missouri State / No. 16 seed Howard

Rutgers

Seed / Region: No. 6 seed in East Region

First Round Opponent: No. 11 seed Florida Atlantic

Click here for more coverage from Rutgers Wire on Rutgers basketball

Wisconsin

Seed / Region: No. 9 seed in East Region

First Round Opponent: No. 8 seed San Diego State

Click here for more coverage from Badgers Wire on Wisconsin basketball

Michigan State

Seed / Region: No. 5 seed in East Region

First Round Opponent: No. 12 seed VCU

Thoughts on Draw: Getting a No. 5 seed would be great for the Spartans and their chances of reaching the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. The 5-12 seed game historically has plenty of upsets but in this scenario I actually like the Spartans odds of advancing to the second round. From there, it would be a matchup against the winner of No. 4 seed Virginia and No. 13 seed Liberty. Again, both of those teams appear to be beatable opponents for the Spartans. Nothing is guaranteed in March, but this would be a great draw for the Spartans should it come into fruition in a few months.

Complete Bracket Prediction

Click on the tweet below for the complete bracket prediction from Katz:

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.

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