MSU, Uof M look to upset basketball powerhouses

College basketball is built on the exciting buzzer beaters, extreme slam dunks and surprising upsets. Anticipation has been building since time ran out on the championship game last season, with fans asking which teams will make a run this March? Which top recruits will live up to their expectations? Who will be the team who barely get into March Madness and then goes on a run? Who will win the National Championship?

Through the first three weeks of the season, teams who you’d expect to be at the top of college basketball like, Duke, Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina, and Kansas round out the top five. What give Duke the best chance to win is their coach, Mike Krzyzewski. He has coached for team U.S.A and has coached great players like Zion Williamson, Kyrie Irving, and Jayson Tatum. Louisville plays tough defense and holds opponents stars to the minimum. Which will help them get to the promised land. Michigan State, like Duke has a very experienced coach Tom Izzo and is destine for a run in March. North Carolina and Kansas teams fans expect to win just because they are so well rounded.  All of these top teams are considered top programs in the country, top recruits, and have NBA-caliber coaching staffs. They also have stars, like Cole Anthony, the point guard from North Carolina and shooting guard Cassius Stantley from Duke. Maryland, Virginia, Gonzaga, Kentucky, and Ohio State finish the top 10. Maryland is a surprise team this year. They aren’t viewed as a powerhouse like Duke or North Carolina. The Terrapins are a sleeper team for sure this year. Virginia is coming of a national championship last year is trying to make it back to back. They will try to beat you with the three ball. Gonzaga has been known for the past few years as a team that plays very well in the regular season, but falls short in March. Once Gonzaga figures out how to carry their success from the regular season into March Madness, then they will be very successful. Kentucky is another team experts predict to make a run for a championship in March. The Wildcats always have a lot of talent and this year is nothing short. Star player, Tyrese Maxey will be looking to take a championship to Kentucky. Ohio State has made a lot of progress in the program dating back to last year. Star player for the Buckeyes, Luther Muhammad was one of the reason they were successful last year and will be looking to improve this year to hopefully make a run in March.“I think Kentucky will be a good team because they always have a good team and top recruits. Even with people writing them off, the Wildcats still make a run in March,” said Senior Hunter Tieppo. Teams that are expected to make a run in March are Duke and Michigan State. Michigan State lost its first game of the season to the Kentucky Wildcats who were ranked second at the time, but…. Duke is already looking in mid-season form having beat Kansas and a 4-0 record.

Locally, Michigan State basketball is very important to fans and alumni. Last year, the Spartans had a successful season with a record of 30-5, but fell short of a championship losing to Texas Tech in the Final Four. This year, the Spartans have a lot of pressure on them. At the beginning of the season they were ranked number 1 in the AP poll. Senior Cassius Winston leads the group. Right now is a perfect time for a championship in East Lansing. The expectation of this year’s Spartans is to bring home a title. “I think they have the potential to win it all this year with a dominant program. The Spartans have a great coach and some good players,” said Senior, Jacob Hughes. Michigan State’s record is 3-1 as of 11/22 and has a very tough schedule. They will have to play Big 10 teams twice, which is a very deep conference and will play Duke. If the Spartans play well against those teams, then they will be a team to be reckoned with.

65 miles southeast in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines are underdogs this season. After being two seasons removed from a national championship, Michigan is looking to exceed expectations this year. All the players of the 2018 championship run have graduated and moved on. The coach at the time John Beilein has moved on to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was looking like a national championship was slipping away. But this season, the Wolverines hired former player and part of the Fab Five, Juwan Howard. The Wolverines has had a nice start to the season going 7-1 as of 12/04 and looks to have found success under Coach Howard. “I don’t really see the Wolverines being a top team like Duke or Kentucky, but they should make it in March Madness,” said Senior, Joey Wells. Michigan might not have championship expectations, but will be looking to prove people wrong over the course of the season.

Sports fans always find predictions interesting seeing how their team is projected to be. College basketball is no different. The one seeds in March Madness will be Duke, Michigan State, Kentucky and Kansas. A team that will be a surprise in the tournament will be Louisville. They will be very eager to play in March after the scandal they have had in recent years. Which took away a national championship won in 2013 against Michigan. Duke and Kentucky will play for a national title. The Duke Blue Devils will be celebrating at the end of the season.