DES MOINES, Iowa _ Sometimes you've just got to survive. That's it.
You've got to find a way to overcome the nerves, the missed shots, the underdog opponent making 3-pointers from damn near half court.
Michigan State hasn't overcome much in two of the past three NCAA Tournaments. And wasn't overcoming much Thursday afternoon against Bradley.
At least not early.
A late-game spurt saved them, 76-65. Saved the memory of the Big Ten regular-season title, of the win over Michigan in the conference title game, of the feel-good ride has been on for most of the winter.
Lose Thursday against Bradley and all that's gone. Not to mention Tom Izzo's title of Mr. March.
Well, maybe he doesn't ever lose that. But if MSU had gone out in the first weekend four years in a row? And lost in the opening round as a 2-seed for the second time under Izzo?
The legacy takes a hit. That's how it is. Fair or not.
So when Matt McQuaid hit a 3-pointer with 3 { minutes left to put MSU up by five, he helped save all that. As did Cassius Winston, who played an uneven game early but found a rhythm again late, as he so often does.
MSU grinded its way to the next round against Bradley. Credit Bradley, certainly. But credit the Spartans, too, for showing the sort of mental grit that previous teams have not.
They were playing to consolidate a memorable winter, yes, but also to get to the second weekend.
Thursday was a start.
A familiar opponent is up next, after Minnesota knocked off Louisville. Big Ten games early in the tournament can be dicey.
They can also be comforting. After Bradley, maybe it's what the Spartans need.
The Gophers have played well the last month _ aside from an implosion against Michigan in last week's Big Ten tournament. But they don't shoot like Bradley did. Not usually, anyway _ they made 12 3-pointers against Louisville.
This is Izzo's chance to rinse the distaste of the past three years. To do it, he'll need more from his seniors.
McQuaid hit the big shot late but didn't shoot well. Kenny Goins, meanwhile, struggled for the second game in a row to make shots.
Though it wasn't just his offense.
You could hear Izzo yelling at his senior forward all game. Goins missed defensive assignments. He missed putbacks. He missed his usual verve.
Whether it's nerves or worry of playing in his last game, Goins has to escape whatever fog he's in if these Spartans intend to make a run.
