Michigan State's Tom Izzo Breaks Down 14-Seed North Dakota State

Spartans and Bison to meet in NCAA Tournament first round in Buffalo

Mar. 17, 2026 at 1:04am

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Less than an hour after Michigan State's first-round NCAA Tournament assignment was announced, Spartans coach Tom Izzo provided an overview of 14-seed North Dakota State, their opponent in the opening round. Izzo offered a more expansive preview of the Bison after initially having only cursory thoughts on the team.

Why it matters

This is a crucial first-round matchup for Michigan State, the 3-seed in the East Region, as they look to advance deep into the NCAA Tournament. North Dakota State, making its first tournament appearance since 2019, will be a tough out for the Spartans.

The details

Michigan State, with a 25-7 overall record and 15-5 mark in Big Ten play, will face North Dakota State, which boasts a 27-7 record after winning the Summit League regular-season and tournament championships. The winner of Thursday's game in Buffalo will advance to the round of 32 to face either 6-seed Louisville or 11-seed South Florida.

  • The Spartans and Bison will tip off at 4:05 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2026.
  • This is Michigan State's 28th straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

The players

Tom Izzo

The head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team.

North Dakota State

The 14-seed in the NCAA Tournament, making its first appearance since 2019 after winning the Summit League regular-season and tournament championships.

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What’s next

The winner of Thursday's game in Buffalo will advance to the round of 32 to face either 6-seed Louisville or 11-seed South Florida on Saturday.

The takeaway

This first-round matchup between Michigan State and North Dakota State will be a tough test for the Spartans as they look to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Izzo's detailed preview of the Bison shows he is taking the 14-seed opponent seriously and preparing his team accordingly.