There's nothing easy about being a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament, and the Michigan State players realized that as soon as the bracket was released, Grand Rapids Press columnist David Mayo writes.

Michigan State faces No. 12 New Mexico State in the Midwest bracket on Friday. Mayo's take:

For a team that can't take anything for granted right now, the news couldn't have been much worse. New Mexico State is hot, as evidenced by winning the Western Athletic Conference tournament and icing Utah State's 17-game win streak in the process. The Aggies shoot 3-pointers a lot, and shoot them well. They score a lot of points, which means they like a fast pace, which certainly doesn't trouble MSU any. But they also see a lot more late-afternoon Spartans games than the Spartans see of the Aggies' late-night games.

MORE MICHIGAN STATE • MLive.com: New Mexico State finished season strong • MLive.com: What does Michigan State need? Better guard play • Detroit Free Press: Columnist Drew Sharp says you shouldn't doubt the Spartans • Detroit News: Spartans head to Spokane, Wash., home of ex-coach Jud Heathcote • Detroit News: Columnist Bob Wojnowski set to watch Michigan State and Oakland

COLLEGE BASKETBALL • AnnArbor.com: Your team-by-team guide to the NCAA tournament • AnnArbor.com: Michael Rothstein goes with Kansas • Yahoo Sports: Take on Michael Rothstein and other AnnArbor.com staffers in this pool • Detroit Free Press: Oakland wanted, expected a higher seed • Detroit Free Press: Stats for Oakland and Pitt • Detroit Free Press: Mark Snyder breaks down the tournament • ESPN: North Carolina, UConn highlight NIT field • Columbus Dispatch: Evan Turner adds to his growing reputation as Ohio State wins Big Ten tourney title • ESPN: John Wall leads Kentucky in SEC title game • MLive.com: Go here for a printable bracket

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