Spartans Get the 5 Seed in the Big Ten Tournament

Michigan State will head to the nation’s capital looking to defend its Big Ten Tournament crown starting this Thursday at 2:30 EST.

The Spartans had a chance to lock up the #3 seed, and in turn a double-bye, but were unable to win against Maryland in the season finale, knocking them down to the #5 seed.

Who will they face? Let’s take a look at the bracket...

All in all, not a terrible draw.

MSU will get the winner of #13 Penn State and #12 Nebraska in their first game which, if they can win, would likely seal their fate as an NCAA Tournament team. Should they get past the Nittany Lions or Huskers, they’ll face Minnesota, a team they beat twice this season but was red hot before losing to Wisconsin last weekend.

Not to get ahead of ourselves, but if MSU were to win both of those games, a likely date with Purdue awaits which is a bad time waiting to happen.

First things first, though — win Thursday and get into the Big Dance.

Everything after that is gravy.