ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI—There have been upsets aplenty after two days of March Madness. So far, after a day and a half of play, upsets include wins from one 13-seed, two 12-seeds, two 11-seeds, two 10-seeds, and three 9-seeds. But the biggest upset thus far came at the hands of an unlikely suitor, and, consequently, knocking out one of the perennial favorites.
The 15-seed Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders shocked the basketball world by knocking off the mighty Michigan State Spartans 90-81.
Middle Tennessee got out to an early lead and rode that confidence for the full 40 minutes, dragging Sparty behind them.
Michigan State’s usual tenacity was lacking, and Coach Izzo’s alacrity for defense was not present. It seemed as though Coach Kermit Davis had the perfect game plan for every assault that Izzo tried to throw at him. Every time the Spartan’s made a big play and it seemed like order was going to be restored, the Blue Raiders answered and kept their lead alive.
Every Blue Raiders starter scored in double figures, with Reggie Upshaw Jr. leading the way with 21.
The Spartans came into the game leading the nation in 3-point shooting and ranking 11 in the nation in 3-point defense. The Blue Raiders took a page out of Sparty’s playbook as they went 11-of-19 from beyond the arc and shot 56 percent overall.
Not only was this a 2-seed in Michigan State verses a 15-seed, but most experts had the Spartans winning the National Championship.
This just shows that the madness can leave hearts broken and brackets busted.