Michigan State Basketball: Why Spartans are the No. 1 team in the country

By Ryan Kay | Jan 24, 2019

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 09: Jordan Bowden #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

5. Spartans compared to other top teams

As my fellow Busting Brackets editors and writers know, I am a strong proponent of KenPom analytic analysis. Ever since KenPom has studied and broken down statistics and published them, Michigan State has never been ranked in the top 10 in both defensive and offensive efficiency. The Spartans have fluctuated this season from being ranked between ranked 5th or 6th offensively and ranging from 6th to 8th defensively.

Also according to Kenpom.com, Michigan State has the 7th most difficult strength of schedule. Michigan State has won 12 straight games with 5 of them being true road games. Michigan State is a well-balanced team that can beat teams with their offense, defense, or both depending on their opponents’ style of play.

The Spartans deserve to be ranked #1 because they have not lost to an unranked opponent unlike teams like Duke and Michigan or lost by double digits to a team like Gonzaga or Nevada. The biggest debate is between Michigan State and Tennesse as our Lukas Harkins debated in his weekly power rankings.

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However, Michigan State plays in a better conference and look at Tennessee’s performance against a Vanderbilt team just over .500 and winless in the SEC. Michigan State is a well-oiled machine who has not wavered against lesser opponents. Time will tell but it is clear as a sunny 80 degree day that Michigan State is the #1 team in the country.

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