Michigan State Basketball: What Experts Say About Spartans' Tourney Chances

Michigan State is once again a major threat to win the national championship this season, following its triumph over Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament final.

Head coach Tom Izzo once again has his players performing at a high level at the right time of the year, and will certainly have his guys well prepared for each opponent.

As a No. 1 seed in a West region that many think is the softest of the four in terms or talent, the Spartans have a great chance to reach the Final Four for the third time since 2009.

Let's look at what some of college basketball's most respected experts are saying about Michigan State as the NCAA tournament begins.

ESPN's Dick Vitale thinks that Memphis could give the Spartans a real challenge in a possible matchup between the two schools in the third round.

Via MLive:

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Analyst Dick Vitale picked Missouri to make the Final Four and warned Michigan State of a potential game against Memphis.

"I think Josh Pastner's club could create all kinds of problems in the (third) round against Michigan State," Vitale said. "I think that could be really a tough game for the Spartans."

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Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune has Michigan State advancing to the Final Four, but has Kentucky defeating it en route to a Wildcats national title.

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Final Four: Kentucky, Syracuse, Kansas, Michigan State

National champion: Kentucky

MOP: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

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Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports has the Spartans being upset by No. 12 seed Long Beach State in the Sweet 16.

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It's going to be Syracuse. But on the way it's going to be wild. In my Final Four, I've got two teams that have never been there (Creighton and Missouri) and I've got Long Beach State getting to the West Regional final. 

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His full bracket can be found here.

ESPN's Digger Phelps has picked the Spartans to win the national title.

Via Larry Brown Sports:

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Digger Phelps also picked Florida State to reach the Final Four. He chose Kentucky, Michigan State, (3) FSU, (2) Kansas. He has Michigan St. over Kansas in the final game.

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ESPN's Hubert Davis also has Michigan State in the national championship game, but he thinks North Carolina will beat it.

Via Larry Brown Sports:

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Hubert Davis‘ picks must be prefaced with the fact that he is partial to his alma mater, North Carolina. Like Bilas, Davis went all chalk picking all four No. 1 seeds to reach the Final Four. He has his school North Carolina beating Michigan St. in the final game.

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It seems that the Spartans are being well respected by the experts this season. In all honesty though, it's been proven time and again that picking against a Tom Izzo-coached Spartans team is usually a bad idea come March.