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Michigan State Basketball: Are Spartans trending upward or downward as a program?

By Ryan Kay

Michigan State Spartans' A.J. Hoggard (11) Mady Sissoko (22), Tyson Walker (2) and forward Malik Hall (25) during the 69-60 win over Marquette in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Columbus, Ohio, March 19, 2023.Msumarq 031923 Kd6623 MSU huddle
Michigan State Spartans' A.J. Hoggard (11) Mady Sissoko (22), Tyson Walker (2) and forward Malik Hall (25) during the 69-60 win over Marquette in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Columbus, Ohio, March 19, 2023.Msumarq 031923 Kd6623 MSU huddle /
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Michigan State Basketball Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan State Basketball Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

2022-23 Season

The 2022-2023 Michigan State basketball season was considered their best season since the 2019-2020 Season. The Spartans did well overall with a record of 21-13 and finished in 4th place in the Big Ten which was their best finish in conference play since 2020.  The Spartans were led by upperclassmen in Tyson Walker, Joey Hauser, A.J. Hoggard, and the team for the most part was consistent in their play throughout the season and was able to overcome losses throughout the season to put themselves in a position to make a decent run in the NCAA Tournament.

Season Accomplishments

Champions Classic Victory: The Spartans defeated No. 4 Kentucky in overtime as Hauser, Malik Hall, and Mady Sissoko combined for 59 points to lead Michigan State in the win over the Wildcats.

A Gavitt Tipoff Games Win: Michigan State defeated Villanova in a close game as Walker led the Spartans with 22 points.

Won their last two games in the Phil Knight Invitational Tournament: After a loss to Alabama, the Spartans defeated Oregon and then Portland to win two out of three games in the Phil Knight Invitational.

Seven Straight Victories: Starting with a road victory against Penn State, Michigan State went on a seven-game winning streak that included wins over Wisconsin and Michigan.

Playing well in the month of February: Starting with a tough defensive victory against Maryland, the Spartans defeated Ohio State twice as well as an impressive win against Indiana to earn the Spartans a 4th place finish in Big Ten play.

Season Outcome

Even though the Spartans had a disappointing loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan State did something that they have not done since 2019 in the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans in the first round of the NCAA Tournament played a talented team in USC. Michigan State played great team defense and beat the Trojans by 10 to advance to the second round. The Spartans had a tough task against No. 2 seed Marquette who won the Big East conference tournament.

Michigan State once again played solid defense and defeated the Golden Eagles to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. The Spartans played outstanding on offense in a high-scoring game against Kansas State that went into overtime, however, Michigan State was unable to secure the victory and advance to the Elite Eight.

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