Michigan State's history as a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament
Michigan State basketball found out their draw in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, checking in as a No. 3 seed in the east region, where the Spartans will face off against the No. 14 seeded North Dakota State Bison.
For Michigan State, it is the fourth time in their history that they will enter the NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed. The past three times did not fare favorably for the Spartans, a trend they will look to buck in 2026.
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Check out the history for Michigan State as a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament:
1995
(Margie Garrison/Lansing State Journal file) Shawn Respert kisses the Spartan ‘S’
A horrific end to Jud Heathcote and Shawn Respert’s tenure at Michigan State, both saw their final game in the green and white end in a 79-72 upset at the hands against the No. 14 seed Weber State.
2013
Mar 29, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Seth Curry (30) brings the ball up court past Michigan State Spartans forward Branden Dawson (22) and guard Gary Harris (14) in the second half during the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan State got another crack at being a No. 3 seed in 2013, which marked their furhtest run at that spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans defeated Valparaiso in the opening round, 65-54, before throttling Memphis in the round of 32, 70-48.
The road came to a close in the sweet 16 with a 71-61 loss to Duke.
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2018
Mar 18, 2018; Detroit, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) reacts to a play in the first half against the Syracuse Orange in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Maybe the most painful of the three, the 2017-18 Big Ten champs, with a 29-4 record, got underseeded as a No. 3 seed. Instead of using it to their advantage, the Spartans fell to No. 11 seeded Syracuse in the round of 32, 55-53.
Michigan State defeated Bucknell in the opening round, 82-78.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State’s history as a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament