A few weeks ago, Michigan State held a 14-point lead on UCLA in the first half. It appeared that the Spartans were about to do what Tom Izzo-coached teams do in March: win.

UCLA came back in a big way, forcing overtime and eventually pulling off a win in the play-in game. Michigan State’s season ended while the Bruins were about to make an incredibly run to the Final Four as a No. 11 seed.

Following UCLA’s 51-49 victory over Michigan in the Elite Eight, Tom Izzo can’t help but wonder what could’ve been if his team held on to defeat the Bruins. There’s a chance the Spartans might still be in Indianapolis right now.

...

ESPN BET is now live in Michigan

Use promo code SATURDAY to get your $250 bonus

...

“You’d be crazy if you didn’t think, ‘Wow, if we could have got that missed free throw, would we have a chance to be playing Michigan to go to a Final Four?'” Izzo said on WJR.

Per Kyle Austin of MLive.com, Izzo went on to say that he though MSU would’ve had trouble with Alabama.

Michigan State made a furious run at the end of the season to even earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament, extending its streak to 23 straight years. Wins over Illinois, Ohio State and Michigan late in the year helped the Spartans punch their ticket, despite a 15-12 record.

After seeing UCLA’s run in the tournament, the loss in the play-in game continues to hang over East Lansing.