Spartans will start off against UCLA
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo says he feels fortunate to be in the NCAA tournament for a 14th straight year.
The Spartans had to sweat it out Sunday, hearing most of the 68-field team announced before finding out they had been matched against seventh-seeded UCLA in the Southeast region.
Tenth-seeded Michigan State will play the Bruins on Thursday in Tampa, Fla. If the Spartans beat UCLA, second-seeded Florida will likely be their third-round opponent.
Michigan State won just 19 games this season, and its last victory over Purdue in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals might have sealed its spot in the NCAA tournament.
The Spartans advanced to the Final Four the last two years and for the sixth time in 12 years.
