On Selection Sunday, the Michigan State Spartans learned that they earned a No. 2 seed in the South Region for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, marking their 27th consecutive appearance in March Madness. This gives them the longest active streak in the country. The Spartans are set to face No. 15 seed Bryant in their opening round, scheduled for Friday, March 21, 2025, at approximately 10 p.m. in Cleveland, Ohio. Should they win, they will advance to face the winner of the matchup between No. 7 Marquette and No. 10 New Mexico on Sunday, March 23.
Head coach Tom Izzo, who has guided the Spartans through this remarkable stretch, is familiar with the pressures and expectations presented by the tournament. This season, the team's performance cemented their reputation as one of the strongest contenders, backed by a mix of talented veterans and rising stars. Despite losing to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament, a setback that ignited discussions about their vulnerabilities, the Spartans maintained their No. 2 seed, validating their consistent excellence throughout the regular season.
In the women's bracket, Michigan State also secured a No. 7 seed in the Spokane 1 region, where they will compete against No. 10 Harvard in their opening game. This match is set to take place on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in Raleigh, North Carolina. Should the Spartans prevail, they will play again on Monday, March 24, against the winner of the No. 2 North Carolina State versus No. 15 Vermont game. Notably, this represents the highest seed for the women's team since 2016.
As Michigan State’s teams gear up for the tournament, the stakes are particularly high in the hockey arena as well, where the Spartans are ranked No. 1 nationally. They are set to host Ohio State in the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament on Saturday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Munn Ice Arena. The anticipation is building as the NCAA Tournament Selection Show for hockey is scheduled for March 23, 2025.
Moreover, the gymnastics team, ranked No. 9, is in pursuit of their second consecutive Big Ten Women's Gymnastics Championship. They will compete on Saturday, March 22, in Ann Arbor alongside formidable teams like UCLA and Michigan. Michigan State clinched the 2024 title as the host school, and they feature talented athletes, including four First Team All-Big Ten honorees.
In wrestling, three Spartans—Caleb Weiand (125 pounds), Remy Cotton (197 pounds), and Max Vanadia (heavyweight)—will show their skills at the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia starting on Thursday, March 20, 2025. This represents another significant event for the Spartans, highlighting the depth of talent in their athletic program.
Additionally, the softball team is set to host Oakland on March 18 for their home opener after 20 games played away from Secchia Stadium. Following that, the Spartans will compete in a three-game Big Ten series against Ohio State from March 21-23. Meanwhile, the baseball team will host Oakland on March 19 at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium before heading to Penn State for a three-game series later in that weekend.
Looking into track and field, the outdoor season kicks off at the USF Alumni Invitational on March 21-22 in Tampa, Florida. Recently, Elle Adrian earned second-team All-America honors in the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, showcasing the commitment and success of Michigan State’s athletic program.
The men's tennis team is scheduled to play against Indiana and Purdue during the weekend, while the women's tennis team anticipates facing well-ranked foes USC and UCLA in Los Angeles. Both teams are eager to build on recent successes against ranked opponents.
As the Spartans head into a busy week filled with crucial matchups across various sports, the excitement is palpable. With promising performances and a storied history in NCAA competitions, Michigan State aims to make a significant impact in this year's tournaments and continue its legacy of excellence.
