Dick Vitale labels Indiana-Michigan State game a 'monster' for Archie Miller
Tuesday night’s bout between Indiana and Michigan State in East Lansing is a big one for both teams. The Hoosiers and Spartans are considered on the bubble for the NCAA tournament, and both need a win to bolster their resume.
ESPN analyst Dick Vitale believes the game is slightly more significant for Indiana, especially head coach Archie Miller. The Hoosiers have not reached the NCAA tournament under Miller’s guidance.
Vitale says that a Michigan State win on Tuesday night would knock Indiana out of the tournament completely.
Today ‘s @B1GMBBall battle btw @MSU_Basketball & @IndianaMBB is a monster for @Archie_Miller & Hoosiers . An L would make them 7-11 in conf. plus 12-13 overall. A loss would be a KO for @marchmadness . Making that tough for IU fans is the entire @NCAA tourney is in Indiana .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 2, 2021
While Indiana is fighting to end an NCAA drought, Michigan State is trying to keep a 22-year streak of tournament appearances alive. It makes for an entertaining storyline on Tuesday night.
The Hoosiers are 12-12 this season with a 7-10 mark in B1G play. Indiana’s biggest accomplishment this season was a sweep of Iowa, defeating the Hawkeyes in both meetings. To earn an at-large bid, they’ll likely need a win over Michigan State Tuesday, an upset over No. 23 Purdue this weekend and one victory in the conference tournament.
But, as Vitale says, if the Hoosiers drop the game Tuesday, it may be the final blow for Miller and IU.