Michigan basketball wants another crack at Michigan State in Elite Eight

DENVER−Whenthebracketsgotmade,everybodylookedaheadandsawthepotential,butfirsttherewasworktobedone. MIchiganbasketballhadtobeatUCSanDiego,whichitdidonThursday,68-65.Then,ithadtobeatTexasA&M,whichitdidonSaturday,91-79,toadvancetotheprogram’sfirstSweet16since2022anditssixthinthepasteightyears. Nowthatit’shappened,everybodyknowsthenextteamonthedocketisAuburn:MichiganwillplaytheNo.1overallseedFridayatStateFarmCenterinAtlantaatato-be-determinedtime.However,shoulditwinthatgame,thereisadecentchancethatafamiliarfoeiswaitingforthemwithatriptotheFinalFourontheline. MichiganState,ledbyTomIzzo,willplayNewMexicointheroundof32onSundayinCleveland.ShouldtheSpartanswin,theytoowouldadvancetotheSweet16andplaythewinnerofIowaState-OleMissgame.IfMSUwonthatgameandU-MpulledofftheupsetovertheTigers,thentherivalswouldplayforthechancetogotoaFinalFour. “RematchagainstMichiganState,whatisthatEliteEight?,”RoddyGayleJr