3. Redemption against Michigan and Ohio State
Last season, Michigan State finished the regular season 27-3. Two of these three regular-season losses were against Michigan and Ohio State. MSU then also lost to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament in New York City.
This season, both OSU and UM are having better seasons than last year; therefore, doing well against them would be very meaningful for the Spartans’ resume. The Buckeyes are currently ranked 13th in the AP Poll, while the Wolverines are ranked 2nd behind only Duke. The Spartans play both teams twice and going 3-1 or 4-0 in these games would go a long way in, not only bragging-rights after how last season went but also for MSU’s seeding come Selection Sunday.
Plus, those teams are two of MSU’s three biggest challengers for the Big Ten regular-season title (along with Wisconsin), so wins against them will be critical if Tom Izzo wants to hang his 9th Big Ten Regular Season Championship banner.