Junior guard Cassius Winston (5) congratulates freshman forward Aaron Henry after Henry made game-sealing free throws. The Spartans beat the Wolverines, 65-60, at the United Center on March 17, 2019.
—The Spartans moved up to the No. 5 spot in the AP Poll after clinching the title of Big Ten Tournament champions on March 17. Heading into March Madness, the team has a secure spot in the top ten.
Michigan State beat No. 8 Michigan for the third time this season during the final game of the Big Ten Tournament 65-60, giving the No. 2 seed hope to do well during March Madness. Michigan moved up two spots regardless of their loss in the Big Ten Tournament final.
With Gonzaga moving down to No. 4 after upsetting games, Duke claimed the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll along with being seeded at No. 1 for March Madness.
The Spartans begin play Thursday, March 21 against Bradley at 2:30 p.m. in Wells Fargo Arena for the first round of March Madness.
Here are the current AP Poll rankings as of March 18:
1. Duke (29-5)
2. Virginia (29-3)
3. North Carolina (27-6)
4. Gonzaga (30-3)
5. Michigan State (28-6)
6. Tennessee (29-5)
7. Kentucky (27-6)
8. Michigan (28-6)
9. Texas Tech (26-6)
10. Florida State (27-7)
11. Houston (31-3)
12. LSU (26-6)
13. Purdue (23-9)
14. Auburn (26-9)
15. Buffalo (31-3)
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16. Virginia Tech (24-8)
17. Kansas (25-9)
18. Kansas State (25-8)
19. Wofford (29-4)
20. Nevada (29-4)
21. Wisconsin (23-10)
22. Cincinnati (28-6)
23. Villanova (25-9)
24. Iowa State (23-11)
25. Utah State (28-6)
