Kansas-Michigan State (Midwest); It’s not a great Michigan State Spartansteam, but this is March and Tom Izzo is still involved. Kansas Jayhawks has reached only one Final Four in six tries (this being the seventh) under Bill Self when it’s a No. 1 seed. Izzo-Self is a spectacular coaching matchup. The two have faced seven times since Self got to Lawrence, with Izzo winning four. They played in the Sweet 16 in 2009, with Kalin Lucas and Michigan State beating Sherron Collins and Kansas 67-62.
Izzo just got inducted into the Hall of Fame last year. Self is up for induction this season. This game would feature two lottery picks: Kansas’ Josh Jacksonand Michigan State’s Miles Bridges . There is not a bigger potential second-round game between two major brands. It’s rare that the Spartans are in the position of second-round underdog, but they would be, and a sizable one. But never count out Izzo until his team is actually bounced. He is 21-4 on Saturday and Sunday n the first two weekends of the tournament, which is outrageous (check out a bunch of fun tourney stats here ).
