Michigan St

Picture of the Day

The Big Ten Conference office announced the 2008-09 men's basketball schedule on Wednesday morning. Michigan State will face a slate that includes 10 teams that played in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, including defending National Champion Kansas. In total, 15 Spartan opponents played in the 2008 postseason. Highlights of the non-conference schedule include the Jan.

Like civilizations, all great basketball programs eventually fall.. replaced by an upstart newcomer. In this week's Rise & Fall series, we'll take a look at which BCS programs are rising, falling, or merely treading water. Up today, the:

BIG TEN

A quick review of the morning action on Day One of the NCAA Tournament:

(3) Xavier 73 - (14) Georgia 61
Josh Duncan, one of the most efficient players in college basketball, finished with 20 points as the Musketeers rebounded from a slow start to beat Georgia. Coming off their miraculous SEC Tournament win, Georgia looked to have the magic early before running out of gas down the stretch. Everybody who picked Xavier to go the Sweet Sixteen or beyond took a big sigh of relief.. and now XU plays the winner of Baylor/Purdue.

Leading up to the 2008 NCAA Tournament, we'll be presenting daily tips to help you fill in your bracket. 

Today's Bracket Tactic

Michigan State

Big Ten

by Joel Welser

Last NCAA Appearance: 2007, Second Round loss to North Carolina

Coach: Tom Izzo (24-9 in 10 NCAA appearances)

Game of the Week: No. 10 Michigan State at No. 13 Indiana (Saturday, 9:00 PM, ESPN)