Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo had his eyes glued to Thursday night’s Big Ten Tournament clash between UCLA and Rutgers. With the Spartans gearing up for their next opponent, Izzo was keen to see if it would be a third showdown with Rutgers or a face-off against his former player, Xavier Booker, who previously fell to Michigan State by 23 points just weeks ago.
UCLA came out strong, maintaining control and fending off Rutgers' late-game surge. The Bruins secured a 72-59 victory, setting up a quarterfinal showdown with a well-rested Michigan State team. This will be only the second meeting between the Spartans and Bruins this season, and Booker will be eager to disrupt Michigan State's Big Ten Tournament ambitions.
If Booker leads UCLA past the Spartans, it could potentially shift Michigan State from a 2-seed to a 3-seed. The Spartans fought hard to climb back to a 2-seed after a challenging stretch in early February, notching crucial road wins against Purdue and Indiana, as well as home victories over NCAA Tournament contenders UCLA and Ohio State. A slip now would be a tough blow.
The coming weeks could see Michigan State facing more familiar foes. Tre Holloman and NC State might cross paths with the Spartans if the selection committee decides to stir the pot, given NC State’s bubble status. Additionally, a matchup with Santa Clara could bring Gehrig Normand back into the mix against his former team.
As March unfolds, the potential for these intriguing reunions adds an extra layer of drama to the tournament. Michigan State might find themselves up against UCLA again if both teams progress past the first weekend. This month promises to deliver all the unpredictability and excitement that makes March Madness truly live up to its name.