NCAA Basketball top 25 power rankings: UCLA and Kentucky rise, Kansas falls
By Joey Loose
14. Michigan State (16-4)
When the Spartans ran off nine straight wins, including a 5-0 start to Big Ten play, we suspected that this could be another fantastic season in East Lansing. Last week’s home loss to Northwestern was troubling, but certainly not the end of the world, especially with how tight and tough this conference has been. Though looking to get back on track, this past week was another mixed bag.
Playing a team missing their two biggest stars, Michigan State could not take advantage at Illinois, eventually dropping a tough 56-55 affair. The Spartans had one of their worst offensive performances of the season, with Marcus Bingham’s 13 points leading the charge. Michigan State got back on track over the weekend, trouncing rival Michigan 83-67, with an impressive 11-point, 11-assist outing from A.J. Hoggard.
The Spartans now sit at 7-2 in the Big Ten, a record that puts them in great shape down the stretch. There are a few more tough games ahead for the Spartans, but the upcoming schedule lends itself nicely for Michigan State to get on another run of success. Next week features a road trip to Maryland and Rutgers; two very winnable games for a Spartans team looking to get on another roll and reclaim the top spot in the Big Ten.