We know the Michigan State basketball team has danced to its 28th consecutive NCAA Tournament, but did you know three former Spartans are also wearing dancing shoes this week?
The NCAA Tournament officially kicks off Tuesday with a pair of First Four games in Dayton. One of the games will include former Spartan linebacker Tre Holloman, whose North Carolina Wolfpack will take on Texas State. But Holloman isn’t the only former Spartan who left through the transfer portal this offseason and will be playing this week.
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Let’s take a look at three former Spartans whose teams also made the NCAA Tournament and will compete in one of the biggest events in sports this week:
Trey Holloman (North Carolina)
March 7, 2026; Raleigh, NC, USA; NC State Wolfpack defender Tre Holloman (5) celebrates with NC State Wolfpack forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22) after scoring during the second half against the Stanford Cardinals at the Legend Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
First round matchup: Tuesday 9:15 PM ET Texas
Holloman will help N.C. State advance to the first round of the actual NCAA tournament in Tuesday’s First Four playoff game. Holloman has started most of the season at NC State and is averaging just over 25 minutes per game this year, scoring 9.3 points and 2.0 assists. This will be Holloman’s final year of eligibility (unless exempt for some reason), so if the Wolfpack loses to the Longhorns, his college career could end as early as tonight.
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Xavier Booker (UCLA)
March 14, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins center Xavier Booker (1) reacts after making a three-pointer during the first half against the Purdue Boilers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
First round matchup: UCF Friday 7:25 p.m. ET
Spartan fans have seen Booker a lot recently, as his Bruins defeated Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals last week. That loss cost the Spartans no seeding in the NCAA Tournament, so it’s safe to say he had a noticeable impact on MSU’s tournament run.
Booker has been the Bruins’ starting starter this season, averaging 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. If Tyler Bilodeau is sidelined after suffering an injury in the Big Ten tournament, his role at UCLA could be further enhanced in the NCAA tournament. If Booker improves his play in March, we could see him challenge the Spartans again in the Sweet 16, where both Michigan State and UCLA sit in the bottom half of the East Region.
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Greg Normand (Santa Clara)
December 4, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Michigan Spartans guard Greg Normand (7) celebrates a second half three-pointer against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
First round matchup: Kentucky Friday at 12:15 p.m. ET
Normand left the Spartans last offseason via the transfer portal, but unfortunately, a similar situation played out with his new team this year. After battling injuries during his two years at Michigan State, he was hampered again this season and failed to make a single appearance for Santa Clara.
The Broncos are back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 30 years, and while Normand won’t be playing, it’s still an interesting story that I personally will be watching. Friday’s game against Kentucky should be an interesting one.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Former Spartan trio to play in NCAA tournament with new teams this week
