As the regular season winds down, the stakes are higher than ever for Michigan State basketball. With the 2026 NCAA Tournament on the horizon, every game is a chance to solidify their standing with the selection committee. Coach Tom Izzo's squad is on the brink of securing their 28th consecutive March Madness appearance, thanks in part to being named among the top-16 seeds.
The 15th-ranked Spartans (22-5, 12-4 Big Ten) bounced back from a tough loss at Wisconsin with two contrasting home victories. First, they dominated UCLA in a feel-good blowout, then narrowly escaped a scrappy Ohio State team. With four games left, Michigan State still has an outside shot at the Big Ten title, but their focus is on maintaining momentum to secure a favorable position in the Big Ten Tournament, starting March 10 in Chicago.
Their next big test is a road game against No. 7 Purdue, a place where the Spartans haven't tasted victory in 12 years. It's a prime opportunity to enhance their NCAA resume.
Upcoming Schedule:
- Thursday: at Purdue, 8 p.m.
(NBC Sports/Peacock)
- Sunday: at Indiana, 3:45 p.m.
(CBS)
Bracketology Insights:
- Net Rankings: No. 12 (up from No.
- KenPom Rankings: No. 10 (up from No.
- Offensive Efficiency: No.
44
- Defensive Efficiency: No.
6
Bracket Projections:
- ESPN, CBS, On3, USA TODAY, Fox Sports, and Bracket Matrix all have Michigan State as a 4-seed, with potential matchups against teams like High Point, Utah Valley, and UNC Wilmington.
Recent Results:
- **Feb.
17:** An 82-59 win over UCLA saw the Spartans light up the court with a season-high 14 three-pointers. Jeremy Fears Jr. shone with 16 points and 10 assists, marking his fourth consecutive game with double-digit assists.
Coen Carr and Jordan Scott also contributed significantly, the latter continuing his streak of double-figure scoring.
- Feb. 22: A gritty 66-60 victory over Ohio State required resilience.
Bruce Thornton's 32 points for OSU kept things tight, but the Spartans rallied in the second half. Carson Cooper led the charge with a career-high 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Scott and Fears added crucial points and assists to secure the win.
Understanding NCAA Selection: The committee considers several factors, including overall and conference records, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, conference championships, and performance metrics like the Adjusted Net Efficiency (NET) and Team Value Index. These elements paint a comprehensive picture of a team's season-long performance.
As Michigan State heads into the final stretch, their focus remains on one game at a time, aiming to build momentum and secure a strong position for March Madness.