**Tolu Smith’s Tough Matchup: MSU Faces Mississippi State in NCAA Opener**
East Lansing, Michigan – The anticipation in the air was tangible for the Michigan State basketball team as they awaited to see if their name would appear in the NCAA tournament bracket after a nerve-wracking selection process. Coach Tom Izzo experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, from initial confidence to significant concern as the possibility of being a bubble team became real. Ultimately, the Spartans secured a 9 seed in the West Region, extending Izzo’s impressive …