Michigan State’s Loss to Michigan Stings, But the Spartans Are Still in the Thick of It
Friday night wasn’t the birthday celebration Tom Izzo had in mind. Michigan walked into East Lansing and handed the Spartans a loss that was as frustrating as it was revealing. But let’s not get carried away - one bad night against a top-three team doesn’t derail what’s been a strong season for Michigan State basketball.
At 19-3 overall and 9-2 in Big Ten play, the Spartans are still very much in the mix for both a conference title and a deep NCAA Tournament run. The loss to Michigan might sting - especially considering Michigan State led with seven minutes to play - but context matters. The Wolverines are playing elite basketball right now, and this was a rivalry game where momentum can shift in a heartbeat.
Will the Spartans Drop in the AP Poll?
Yes - probably. A loss at home, especially by double digits, tends to catch the eyes of AP voters. And with a few other teams making strong cases for upward movement, Michigan State is likely to slide a few spots when the new rankings drop on Monday.
But how far they fall will depend on how voters weigh the loss. It wasn’t a blowout from start to finish - the Spartans had control late in the second half before things unraveled. That nuance could matter when ballots are filled out.
Looking at the landscape, Iowa State, Illinois, and Houston are all poised to leapfrog Michigan State. Kansas could sneak ahead too, after a statement win over No.
13 BYU. That would slide the Spartans to around No. 10 or No. 11 - a reasonable drop, and one that still keeps them in the national conversation.
Losses Around the Top 15 Help Cushion the Blow
Here’s the thing: Michigan State wasn’t the only top team to stumble this week. Nebraska, for example, fell to Michigan as well - albeit on the road and without two key players. That loss probably won’t hurt the Cornhuskers too much, but it also doesn’t help their case to jump the Spartans.
And depending on how Saturday night shakes out - particularly if Gonzaga falls to Saint Mary’s - Michigan State could find itself holding steady at No. 10, despite the loss.
Big Picture: Still a Contender
This isn’t about rankings in early February. It’s about how a team responds to adversity and whether it can clean up the mistakes that cost it a rivalry win.
Michigan State showed flashes of control against Michigan, but couldn’t close the deal. That’s a teachable moment for Izzo and his staff - and there’s still plenty of time to apply those lessons.
The Spartans have been one of the most consistent teams in the Big Ten this season, and one tough night doesn’t change that. If anything, it sharpens their focus for the stretch run.
Come Monday, Michigan State might be out of the top 10. But they’re still very much in the hunt - and that’s what really matters.