The most exciting weekend in sports in nearly upon us. The deadline to get your brackets done is quickly approaching. Join the TOC bracket here. Speaking of TOC, the writers all got together and came up with some tournament questions and gave their predictions. Readers, we’d love to see your responses in the comments. But first, here’s what we had to say:
1. Is this the year for another magical Izzo run? How far are you taking MSU in your bracket?
Mike: I’m always optimistic with MSU so let’s try something
different this year. They get bounced in the second round by South Florida. Now, instead of disappointment, hopefully this leads to pleasant surprise.
Please keep in mind in the 12 minutes or so that I got to spend on this exercise, I’m picking what I think would be most irritating instead of most happy. Except um winning it all – can’t pick that. And picking Purdue to win it all. That’d be ok, though it would probably infuriate TOC.
Steve: Sweet 16
Lucas: Almost. I’ll take the Spartans to the Elite Eight. MSU gets a great, memorable win versus UConn in the Sweet Sixteen, but fails to advance to the Final Four for the second straight season. They’ll suffer a heartbreaking loss to Duke for the second time this season.
Robbie: I’ll be the Debbie Downer that says they don’t make it past the first weekend. It’s too easy for this team to have a bad shooting night and that’s all it takes to lose a game in March. I’ll say they lose to Louisville/South Florida in Round 2.
O: I’m drinking the kool-aid. MSU to the Final Four!
2. Which Spartan absolutely has to show up big for MSU to survive the first weekend?
Mike: It would be nice if Coen Carr had a big opening weekend but I think it’s Fears all the way. He’s the one guy MSU absolutely can’t do without. Lots of pressure on him.
Steve: Fears. He has to be dominant and eliminate the pirouettes. He will have all eyes on him and if he dominates and plays entirely clean, he can change his narrative.
Lucas: Kohler. I believe we’ll get Jeremy Fears playing to his All-American potential, and Cooper will be good for a near double double throughout the Tournament, but we need Jaxon to be more consistent. When he knocks down his first three of the game, it opens up our entire offense and gets his confidence built up as well.
Robbie: Fears has been the engine behind this team all season long and that shouldn’t change now. This team is different when he’s knocking down jump shots.
O: Jaxon Kohler. He is the X-factor. Need him to be our 2nd biggest weapon and hit his shots consistently, inside and outside.
3. Did MSU get seeded where they deserved to be?
Mike: if Izzo really doesn’t have a problem with Purdue passing them to the 2-line, I guess I don’t either. I’m not sure they deserved the toughest region though.
Steve: The only “made for TV storyline” this bracket is missing is Calipari. I’m sure the powers that be are happy with Duke and Pitino and Hurley. The seed is accurate, the bracket I disagree with.
Lucas: Yes. State had the perfect opportunity to secure themselves a 2-seed in the BTT vs UCLA, and absolutely blew it. While the committee didn’t help with the region, it is no one but MSU’s fault for dropping to the 3-seed line.
Robbie: If they wanted the 2-seed, don’t lose to UCLA.
O: For the way we finished the season and not winning a game in the BTT, I’m fine with it.
4. How does this 2026 roster stack up against Tom Izzo’s famous Final Four squads?
Mike: I think he’s taken less talented teams to the Final Four but it seems like those 99-01 teams were loaded.
Steve: I don’t think it is as strong. There is an element of team grit missing.
Lucas: Definitely on the less talented side. As much as I love our four year bigs in Coop and Kohler, the lack of depth at guard scares me, as guardplay goes a long way in March.
Robbie: From a defense and rebounding standpoint, this is a great team. It’s the lack of offensive punch that doesn’t stack up with former teams. Can Bryn Forbes come back for a few more games?
O: I don’t think this year’s team is even as good as last year’s Elite 8 team. But it is better than the 2001 team and probably on par with 2009.
5. Time to lock in your 2026 Final Four! Who are they?
Mike: UCLA, Houston, Iowa State, Purdue.
Steve: Duke, Houston, Virginia, Purdue
Lucas: Duke, Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky
Robbie: Duke, Florida, Purdue, Michigan
O: Michigan State, Houston, Arizona, Iowa State
6. Who’s cutting down the nets?
Mike: Purdue over UCLA in an all-John Wooden final.
Steve: Houston over Purdue
Lucas: Florida makes it two in a row.
Robbie: Duke over Michigan
O: Arizona
7. Which #1 or #2 seed is most susceptible for a stunning early exit?
Mike: Ohio State over Duke in the second round.
Steve: I don’t have any 1’s or 2’s out until Elite 8
Lucas: UConn at the hands of the Furman Paladins. Would also love to get my FINS UP for LIU over Arizona.
Robbie: Michigan – the earlier they lose, the better, even if I have them making the championship game.
O: Not this year. I’m going chalk. I have all four 1-seeds getting to the Elite 8, and all the 2-seeds except UConn go that far as well.
8. Which conference is going to have the most teams in the Elite Eight this year?
Mike: Big Ten. Ohio State, UCLA, Purdue, um
Steve: SEC, B1G, and ACC with 2 each
Lucas: Big Ten. MSU, um, Illinois, Purdue
Robbie: ACC and Big Ten with three each.
O: Big Ten and Big 12 each get 3 to the Elite 8.
9. Which double-digit seed is going to go the furthest?
Mike: USF over MSU to the Sweet 16 but that’s as far as it goes.
Steve: I have South Florida and Texas A&M making it to game two but that’s it.
Lucas: Akron. They’ll beat Texas Tech and Alabama to give um a much easier path to the Elite Eight. Or I could completely go against my Illinois pick from above and take VCU making it to the Sweet Sixteen.
Robbie: If USF beats Louisville, I think they’re making the Sweet 16.
O: Again, I think this tournament is going to be low on upsets. I only have 3 double-digit seeds winning the opening round, and not even picking any 12-seeds which always get at least one. None make it to the Sweet 16.
10. How many double-digit seeds will score an upset in round 1?
Mike: Northern Iowa, USF, VCU, Santa Clara. Four.
Steve: South Florida, Texas A&M,
Lucas: USF, Texas A&M, Miami of Ohio.
Robbie: USF, VCU, Texas, Texas A&M – four.
O: 3 – South Florida, Central Florida, and Texas A&M
There you have it, the TOC writers have spoken! I love that not one of us has picked the same champion and let’s hope for the sake of MSU that O’s Kool-Aid is that super sweet kind that makes his pick come true. Looking forward to seeing your picks TOC Nation in the comments and let’s have some fun this weekend.
