Michigan State 70, Georgia 63

This isn’t one of Tom Izzo’s best teams, but the Spartans are still going to be a tough out.

Michigan State didn’t do anything flashy while dispatching Georgia, and MSU survived a late offensive brownout to beat the Bulldogs. They key was MSU’s defense. It hasn’t always been fantastic this season, but the Spartans’ poise was fantastic, and Izzo’s guys turned up the defense when it needed it most.

Next up for Michigan State will likely be Virginia as long as the Cavaliers can get past Belmont. That one should be a defensive battle, one to warm the hearts of old-school basketball fans everywhere.