Michigan State to Face North Dakota State in March Madness First Round

Fans can score tickets for under $80 to see the Spartans take on the Bison at KeyBank Center

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:21pm

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The Michigan State Spartans will face off against the North Dakota State Bison in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament this Thursday at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Fans looking to attend the game can find tickets for under $80, making it an affordable option to see the Spartans in March Madness action.

Why it matters

Michigan State is a perennial NCAA Tournament contender, having made the Big Dance 33 times in the last 35 years. Their first-round matchup against North Dakota State represents an opportunity for the Spartans to make another deep run in the tournament and potentially advance to the Sweet 16 or beyond.

The details

The Spartans earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after finishing the regular season with a 22-9 record. They will be taking on a North Dakota State team that won the Summit League tournament to secure an automatic bid. Ticket prices for the first-round game at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo are currently under $80, making it an affordable option for Spartan fans to see their team compete in the opening round of March Madness.

  • The Michigan State vs. North Dakota State game will take place on Thursday, March 20, 2026.

The players

Michigan State Spartans

A Division I men's basketball team that competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Spartans are a perennial NCAA Tournament team, having made the Big Dance 33 times in the last 35 years.

North Dakota State Bison

A Division I men's basketball team that competes in the Summit League. The Bison earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning their conference tournament.

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What’s next

The winner of the Michigan State vs. North Dakota State game will advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they will face the winner of the matchup between the #1 seed and the #8 seed in that region.

The takeaway

With affordable ticket prices, Michigan State fans have a great opportunity to support their team as they begin their quest for a national championship in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.