Just a week ago, Michigan State looked like a Big Ten title contender, sitting in a four-way tie atop the standings with Michigan, Illinois, and Nebraska. But after Wednesday night’s stunning 76-73 loss to Minnesota, the Spartans have slipped to fourth in the conference - and the questions are starting to pile up.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a tough road loss. This was a gut-punch.
Minnesota came into the game with a 4-8 Big Ten record and riding a seven-game losing streak. The Gophers had shown flashes - they were tied with Illinois at halftime recently and even led undefeated Nebraska in the second half - but no one expected them to knock off a top-10 Michigan State team.
Yet that’s exactly what they did.
**Michigan State never led. Not once.
** The Spartans trailed by as many as 16 and, despite a late push that cut the deficit to two with 20 seconds left, they couldn’t close the gap. It was the third straight game where Michigan State found itself in a double-digit hole - a troubling trend for a team that’s supposed to be built for March.
Sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr., who had been electric in the previous two games with a combined 60 points, was held in check. He finished with just 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting, though he did dish out 11 assists - no surprise there, considering he ranks second nationally in assists per game. But Minnesota made him work for everything, and his reduced scoring presence was felt throughout the night.
Coen Carr tried to play hero late. The junior forward poured in 10 of his 16 points in the final three minutes, giving the Spartans a fighting chance. But every time Michigan State made a move, Minnesota had an answer - and when the final buzzer sounded, the court belonged to the Gophers and their fans.
This one hurts for Michigan State - not just because of the loss, but because of what it represents. Minnesota hadn’t beaten a top-10 Michigan State team before.
In fact, this was the Gophers’ first win over any top-10 opponent since knocking off No. 7 Michigan back in January 2021.
They came in with only two ranked wins this season, and while they’ve been competitive, this was a game the Spartans were expected to control.
Instead, it looked like a continuation of the issues that surfaced in their previous loss to Michigan - slow starts, defensive lapses, and too many fouls. Michigan State was whistled for 21 team fouls, and Minnesota capitalized, knocking down 22 free throws. That’s a tough number to overcome, especially when you’re playing from behind all night.
Now, things don’t get any easier. The Spartans head into a marquee matchup with No.
5 Illinois on Saturday night. If they come out flat again, it could be another long evening - and a missed opportunity to reassert themselves in the Big Ten race.
Michigan State still has the talent and the coaching to turn things around, but the margin for error is shrinking. If this team wants to make noise in March, it needs to start playing like it in February.