Michigan State won 30 games a season ago and had one of the most talented rosters in the Big Ten, but it still dropped games against Michigan and ultimately lost to Syracuse in the second round. It was an improvement from a 2017 team that only won 20 games and lost to Kansas, though.
But it’s been a strange un-Tom Izzo type of three-year run in the tournament, losing in the first round to Middle Tennessee State team in 2016 to kick off the drought.
Spartan fans have grown accustomed to deep runs in the tournament and Final Four appearances.