Michigan State loss means Big Ten is eliminated from 2023 NCAA Tournament
The Big Ten’s basketball season came to an end again in the NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin is in the NIT semifinals next week, but that’s just a technicality. Being eliminated from the NCAA Tournament is the true endgame for any college basketball conference, and the moment of misery arrived on Thursday night for the Big Ten.
Michigan State, the only Big Ten team to reach the Sweet 16, lost to Kansas State in an epic overtime thriller in Madison Square Garden in New York.
Spartans Wire had more on the story:
“In overtime, Michigan State held a lead of two points with just over one minute to go,” Robert Bondy wrote. “However, from there the Spartans were outscored 8-to-1 and failed to get off a game-tying three which resulted in a layup for Kansas State to finish off the Spartans.
“Michigan State was led offensively by A.J. Hoggard with 25 points and six assists. Other Spartans in double-figures were Joey Hauser (18 points), Walker (16 points), Jaden Akins (14 points) and Malik Hall (13 points).”
Over the past three seasons, the Big Ten has collected 26 NCAA Tournament bids. Only four of those 26 teams made the Sweet 16. Only one team — 2021 Michigan — reached the Elite Eight. None made the Final Four.
Is USC basketball going to be fine in the Big Ten? It certainly should be.
