Examining, predicting NCAA Tournament clash between Mississippi State, Michigan State

On3’s Andy Staples and Bracketologist James Fletcher III took some time to debate one of the more interesting matchups during the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

“Let us go to the No. 8, No. 9 matchup. Michigan State vs. Mississippi State,” Staples said, via Andy Staples On3. “I saw stat about Tom Izzo. Tom Izzo has won 65% of the games where he is the lower seeded team. I’ve seen a few of those games in the NCAA Tournament myself. It feels like they just rock up and out tough teams in those situations. And then they end up finding you know, a more talented team down the road and lose, but this feels like it’ll — look No. 8, No. 9. It’s not that big of a difference.

“This feels like a Tom Izzo spot to get into the second round, where maybe he has something for North Carolina.”

In making his prediction, Fletcher III revealed he’s rocking with the Spartans, but he’s not willing to count out Mississippi State as the game approaches.

“Yeah, like I said early on, this is the game that I looked at and I just had to debate and debate. I could not figure out who I wanted to pick here. I ended up going Michigan State,” Fletcher III revealed. “But the question that kept popping in my mind, as I went Michigan State over Mississippi State is, ‘Am I betting here on Tom Izzo,’ and like you said, 65% when he’s a lower seeded team. He’s Mr. March. He’s known for these big runs. He’s known for these tough teams that are gonna come up and punch you in the mouth, and just take over the game. Or am I betting on this Michigan State team, which has not really been any of those things for a majority of the season? And so, trying to figure out, can they be that for at least one game? Can they get through this matchup with Mississippi State?

“That’s what we’re gonna have to decide, because Mississippi State, you try to punch them in the mouth, they’re gonna punch you right back. They are a big physical team. They play a lot of guys. Tolu Smith, DJ Jeffries, KeShawn Murphy. The list goes on and on of the big, tough physical guys that they want to put on the floor. So Mississippi State, not a team that’s going to roll over, if you do punch them in the mouth, if you do come out there with that physical mentality. Chris Jans also, I mean, he’s got a great track record when it comes to the NCAA Tournament. So, I think we’re looking at one where, you might bet on Izzo, because it’s Tom Izzo, but on the other side, I like what I see from them as well. So it is truly one of the closest pick’ems that I have in this tournament field.”

Alas, Michigan State and Mississippi State should put on an awesome show. We’ll see who gets the win during the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.