Tom Izzo, coach of the Michigan State Spartans, should be at least semi-happy at the moment. His team made it into the NCAA Tournament field with 14 defeats, and they came up with a big win in the first round of play, as they whipped Mississippi State 69-51.

But he isn't happy - not about the teams that make it into the NCAA's with automatic bids from mid-majors and small conferences. Teams like Duquesne, which pulled a first-round upset over BYU. Or Yale, which defeated Auburn. Or Oakland, which scored a shocking upset win over mighty Kentucky.

If Izzo had his way, none of those squads would have an opportunity to play in the national tournament.

"I just think what’s happening now, everybody likes the upsets in the first weekend, but I’m not sure moving on that’s what’s best for the game. I think it’s got to be looked at seriously," he told reporters.

With all due respect to him, it HAS been looked at seriously. By fans. Lots of them. Enough to make the NCAA Tournament big business and put a lot more money in his pocket.

What's best for the game? This is what he is now asking? Has anyone ever explained to him that the participation of underdogs and the upsets that invariably happen are what puts the "madness" into March Madness? Does he think fans (who drive this thing) were unhappy when St. Peter's made it to the Elite Eight two seasons ago, beating Kentucky and Purdue along the way? Did they threaten to boycott the event when Fairleigh Dickinson, out of the tiny Northeast Conference, came out of the play-in phase to beat Purdue? Don't think so.

Obviously we can go on and on, but we don't have to, do we?

Izzo's team got 19 points from Tyson Walker and held Mississippi State to six triples in 27 attempts in the 69-51 victory the other night. that brought their record to 20-14, and they may face a bigger challenge against the Tar Heels of North Carolina on Saturday night.

In the NCAA Tournament betting odds posted on this game by the people at BetOnline, the Heels are favored:

North Carolina Tar Heels -3.5
Michigan State Spartans +3.5

Over 140.5 points -110
Under 140.5 points -110

Both of these teams rank in the top ten in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. Both take good care of the ball.

North Carolina is better on the glass. They are particularly good on the defensive end, as they pull down almost 75% of the available caroms, which ranks them sixth in the country. So Michigan State had better be accurate with its shooting touch.

But the Tar Heels are in the top 30 nationally in defending both two-pointers (45.8%) and triples (31.6%). Points may be tough for the Spartans to come by.

North Carolina got a #1 seed in the West region, which could have gone to other teams, to be perfectly honest. To their credit, they beat hated rival Duke twice, also registering a win over Clemson. And they scored an even 100 points against highly-rated Tennessee.

But they did lose in the ACC Tournament to NC State, despite getting 30 points from RJ Davis and 18 points with a dozen rebounds from Armando Bacot. And Bacot came right back with 20 points and 15 rebounds in the opening round cakewalk against Wagner (90-62).

The Tar Heels caught something of a break when RJ Davis decided to stay in school instead of applying for the NBA Draft, because UNC lost top scorer Caleb Love to Arizona. Bacot could have gone to the NBA too, but he also decided to return and join Stanford transfer Harrison Ingram, Notre Dame transfer Cormac Ryan and prize freshman guard Elliot Cadeau. And we should also mention Louisville transfer Jae'Lyn Withers, who had 16 points and ten rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench against Wagner.

This is a redemption tour, as UNC did not even get to the postseason last year. They should control the boards and the lane here. Unless MSU can shoot lights out from the outside, they won't cover. And then Izzo won't have to worry about who's in or out of the NCAA Tournament for another year.

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