In 1986, Patrick Ewing had left Georgetown for the NBA but the Hoyas were still a very solid 24-8. With Reggie Williams, David Wingate, Horace Broadnax and Michael Jackson, among others, John Thompson still had a solid team and the Hoyas entered the NCAA tournament with a record of 23-7. That went to 24-7 when Georgetown knocked off Texas Tech, setting up a second-round game with the Michigan State Spartans.
Jud Heathcote was still coaching the Spartans and this was seven years after Magic Johnson led Michigan State to a national championship over Larry Bird and the Indiana State Sycamores.