Michigan State, 17.5-point Favorite, Upset by Middle Tennessee State, 90-81
By Jason McIntyre
Michigan State entered the 2016 NCAA Tournament as one of the favorites to win the title. And the Spartans choked in the 1st round, losing one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history, as 2nd-seeded Michigan State lost to Middle Tennessee State, 90-81.
How’d they do it? Shooting 55.9% from the field and 57.9% on 3-pointers (11-of-19).
The Spartans were 17.5-point favorites, matching another #2 seed (Iowa State), choking against Hampton in 2001.
Of the 53 “so-called” experts from ESPN, SI and CBS Sports, 50 of them had Michigan State in the Final 4. Of those 50, 28 had Michigan State winning the title. I filled out 14 brackets and had Michigan State taking the title in three of them.
Tom Izzo had never lost a 1st round tournament game in his career (now 7-1). So goodbye Tom Izzo. You had a nice career, Denzel Valentine.
And now everyone waits for Sunday’s matchup of Syracuse and Middle Tennessee State. The winner will play Gonzaga or Utah in the Sweet 16 on Friday.