Bubble watch: ESPN's Joe Lunardi updates Michigan State projection after win over Michigan
Michigan State is headed to the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi.
Following Michigan State’s win over Michigan, Lunardi declared the Spartans will be in the Field of 68 “regardless” of what happens in the Big Ten Tournament this week.
Lunardi currently has the Spartans amongst the “last four byes,” meaning they’ll avoid having to endure a play-in game.
Here’s Lunardi’s updated projection:
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 7, 2021
Michigan State’s Big Ten record is below .500, but the Spartans now have three top-5 wins in the last three weeks: Michigan, Ohio State and Illinois. Tom Izzo’s team is 15-11 overall heading into the Big Ten Tournament.
Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Michigan and Illinois are No. 1 seeds according to Lunardi. The Wolverines’ loss to Michigan State today was just their third of the season.
Ohio State and Iowa are listed as No. 2 seeds and are very much in contention to make the Final Four.
The Big Ten Tournament runs from March 10-14 in Indianapolis. Selection Sunday is on March 14.