Michigan State Hits a Midseason Wall - But Don’t Count Out Izzo Just Yet
For much of the season, Michigan State looked like a team built for a deep March run. A 19-2 start had them firmly inside the top 10, and their mix of veteran leadership, defensive toughness, and balanced scoring had the Spartans looking like one of the most complete squads in the country.
But February has a way of testing even the most seasoned teams, and right now, Michigan State is feeling that pressure.
It started with a scare at Rutgers - a game they narrowly pulled out despite trailing late against a team that’s struggled all year. Then came the rivalry showdown with Michigan, where the Spartans clawed their way back from a double-digit hole, took a late lead, but couldn’t close. That 12-point loss was more than just a mark in the L-column - it was the first real crack in the armor.
Things didn’t get easier from there. A flat performance against Minnesota led to a wire-to-wire loss against a team hovering around .500.
They bounced back with a win over Illinois, but any momentum was short-lived. A road trip to Wisconsin ended in a 21-point drubbing - their most lopsided loss of the season.
Now sitting at 20-5, Michigan State’s once-dominant start has cooled. After dropping three of their last four, the Spartans took a tumble in the latest AP Top 25 - falling to No. 15, tying North Carolina for the biggest slide of the week. They were leapfrogged by Gonzaga, Florida, Texas Tech, and Virginia.
Still, this isn’t unfamiliar territory for Tom Izzo’s program. Midseason slumps have come and gone before in East Lansing, and more often than not, the Spartans find their footing when it matters most.
The good news? The résumé isn’t in bad shape.
Of their five losses, four have come against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25 - and Wisconsin, who just entered at No. 24, is one of them. That kind of strength of schedule will matter come Selection Sunday.
The better news? There are still marquee opportunities ahead.
Michigan State’s path back into the top 10 - and a potential high seed in the NCAA Tournament - runs through a gauntlet of high-stakes matchups. Games against UCLA, Ohio State, Michigan (again), and Purdue are all on deck.
Even a road trip to Indiana looms as a potential trap game.
So yes, the Spartans are in a bit of a funk. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s this: never count out Tom Izzo in February - and especially not in March.
This may be the lull before the storm. And if history is any indicator, Michigan State’s best basketball might still be ahead.